Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have neutralised four armed militia members and recovered several weapons in a swift operation aimed at curbing renewed communal violence in Usmanu Village, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The deployment followed credible intelligence indicating a resurgence of the long-standing land dispute between the Shomo and Wurkun communities. The conflict, which has simmered for years, escalated into fresh violence marked by the burning of houses and destruction of property.
According to military authorities, troops were immediately dispatched to the area to stabilise the situation and prevent further bloodshed. On arrival, the soldiers came under heavy fire from armed assailants advancing from the Fadama axis. A brief but intense gun battle ensued, during which four of the attackers were neutralised.
A mop-up operation in the area resulted in the recovery of three dane guns, one fabricated AK-47 rifle, 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and two motorcycles believed to have been used by the militia.
In a surprising development, one personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) was arrested at the scene for allegedly operating alongside the militia. The officer is currently being investigated to ascertain his level of involvement in the unrest.
Commenting on the operation, the Commander, 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised his troops for their swift response and professionalism. He reiterated the Brigade’s determination to eliminate criminal elements and maintain operational momentum across Taraba State.
Brigadier General Uwa also assured residents of Karim Lamido LGA and the state at large of the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to restoring lasting peace. He urged members of the affected communities to embrace peaceful coexistence and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
The Nigerian Army appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding as normalcy gradually returns. The military further urged the public to report suspicious movements to the nearest security formation as operations under Operation Peace Shield, Operation Lafiya Nakowa, and Operation Zafin Wuta continue across the region.
