Troops decimate terrorists in fierce battle, one soldier falls 

Crime Diary

NIGERIA (NPA) — 29 March 2026 — Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have repelled a deadly terrorist assault in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, killing several insurgents in an intense gun battle that underscored the Army’s resolve to defend the nation.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, the clash erupted around 1:00 p.m. on 27 March near the Iyarwya waterside, after Sector 1 troops acted swiftly on intelligence reports of suspected terrorist movements. The soldiers made contact with the assailants and unleashed a blistering counter‑attack, neutralising many and forcing the rest to scatter in disarray.

The terrorists attempted to regroup across the river, laying an ambush for the advancing troops. In the ensuing exchange of fire, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price while another sustained gunshot wounds. Despite the setback, the troops pressed forward, ensuring the enemy was routed and their positions dismantled.

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Military sources confirmed that the injured soldier was evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi for urgent treatment, while the fallen hero’s remains were deposited at the mortuary. 

The Army hailed the courage and sacrifice of its personnel, vowing that the blood of the slain would not be shed in vain as OPWS intensifies its campaign to rid Benue and surrounding states of terrorist threats.