Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have killed a suspected bandit and arrested two kidnappers in separate operations across Benue State.

A statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt Ahmad Zubairu, indicated that the operations, conducted on August 19, 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected criminals operating along the Jortar-Atume axis and in Logo Local Government Area of the state.

Zubairu said the troops first moved against a suspected bandit kingpin and his associates who were reportedly operating an illegal kidnapping checkpoint along the Jortar-Atume axis of Ukum LGA.

He explained that the troops engaged the criminals in a firefight during which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname "Cool Nigga", was neutralised.

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He noted that other members of the group reportedly fled the scene, abandoning a motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops.

The OPWS spokesman further stated that the troops, acting on credible information in a separate operation in Logo LGA, arrested two suspected kidnappers at Gou Village.

The suspects, identified as Terhile Iyo, 44, and Vershima Emmanuel, 32, reportedly confessed to an attempt to kidnap Mrs Balame Nyikwagh, a resident of Gou Village.

Zubairu listed items recovered from the suspects to include one locally made pistol, one cartridge, five Tecno torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, multiple SIM cards and charms.

He added that the suspects remain in military custody for further investigation and exploitation.

He urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

The statement also reaffirmed the OPWS commitment to protecting lives and property and combating criminal activities across Benue State.