Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested a notorious bandit leader, identified as Tershaku Agbadu, during a raid in Benue State.
The operation, conducted on Thursday, followed credible intelligence that placed Agbadu at the heart of several deadly attacks in the state. He was arrested in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, known for heavy bandit activity.
According to military sources, Agbadu had long been on the wanted list for his role in coordinating violent attacks, kidnappings, and extortion in Benue and surrounding areas. The troops recovered arms, ammunition, and communication devices from his hideout during the operation.
Defence Headquarters confirmed the arrest in a statement on Friday. It noted that Agbadu’s capture marks a major win in the fight against insecurity in the North-Central zone. The military added that it remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and restoring peace to the region.
Benue State residents have suffered a wave of violent crimes in recent months, especially in rural communities. The arrest of Agbadu has raised hopes of reduced attacks and renewed confidence in ongoing military operations.
Locals hailed the arrest and called on security forces to continue the clampdown on criminal gangs. Community leaders urged the military to sustain surveillance and prevent retaliatory strikes from the bandit’s loyalists.
The suspect is currently in military custody and will be handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution. Security agencies say more raids are underway to track down Agbadu’s associates and ensure lasting stability.
