Troops of Sector 1 of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, have arrested a suspected terrorist during a security operation in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to security sources who spoke with Zagazola Makama, the suspect was arrested at about 9:00 a.m. on July 18 by troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Otukpo.

The operation took place in Amula community as part of ongoing military efforts to clear the area of criminal elements and destroy their hideouts.

The suspect has been taken into military custody and is currently undergoing preliminary interrogation to determine his identity, possible links to armed groups, and the extent of his involvement in criminal activities.

Military authorities said troops have continued to sustain offensive operations and intelligence-driven patrols across Benue State to deny armed groups freedom of movement and enhance security in vulnerable communities.

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command’s Quick Response Squad have foiled a suspected cult initiation ceremony in a forest within Orogun Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The Operatives also recovered one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, two expended cartridges, seven vehicles, six mobile phones, suspected cult regalia and other personal effects.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe confirmed the report in a statement sent to newsmen in Warri.

The Police image maker said, “The Delta State Police Command has foiled a suspected cult initiation ceremony and recovered firearms, ammunition, seven vehicles and other exhibits during an intelligence-led operation in Orogun Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area.”

According to SP Edafe,”Acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of Sunday, 19 July 2026, that members of the Black Axe Confraternity (Aye) were conducting an initiation ceremony in a forest within Orogun, operatives of the Command’s Quick Response Squad (QRS) stormed the location.”

He explained that, “On sighting the operatives, the suspected cultists opened fire, but were repelled by the superior tactical response of the Police, forcing them to flee into the adjoining forest along the Abbi–Abraka axis.

“A search of the area led to the recovery of one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, two expended cartridges, seven vehicles, six mobile phones, suspected cult regalia and other personal effects abandoned by the fleeing suspects.” 

SP Edafe noted that,”All exhibits are in Police custody, while efforts to arrest the suspects are ongoing.”

Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi John Oyeniyi have commended the operatives for the successful operation just as he reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and the fight against cultism and other violent crimes. 

He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing efforts to keep Delta State safe.

Troops have repelled an attempted terrorist attack on the Forward Operating Base, FOB, at Mayanchi in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, forcing the attackers to retreat and preventing any disruption along the strategic Sokoto–Gusau highway.

The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the suspected terrorists, riding on motorcycles, launched the attack at about 5:05pm. on July 18 in an apparent attempt to infiltrate and overrun the military facility.

Makama reported that troops stationed at the base immediately engaged the attackers, while reinforcement personnel from the Forward Operating Base in Fangaltama were deployed to reinforce the position.

“The coordinated response forced the terrorists to abandon the attack and retreat without breaching the military camp,” the report stated.

Makama further reported that the successful defence of the base ensured that the Sokoto–Gusau Main Supply Route remained secure, preventing any disruption to both military operations and civilian movement along the corridor.

The sources added that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to sustain pressure on armed groups operating across Zamfara State and deny them freedom of movement.