Nigerian Army Intercepts Massive Arms Shipment in Taraba; Gunrunner Arrested

​JALINGO – In a major blow to illegal arms trafficking in the Northeast, troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have intercepted a significant cache of heavy weaponry in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State.

​The high-stakes operation, conducted on February 12, 2026, led to the arrest of Abubakar Ibrahim, a 48-year-old suspect hailing from Barkin Ladi, Plateau State. Ibrahim was apprehended while attempting to transport a deadly shipment of six PKT Machine Guns—medium-caliber weapons capable of high-volume fire and significant tactical damage.

​The Operation

​Acting on precision intelligence regarding a suspicious vehicle heading toward the Ibi waterside, troops from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari mounted a swift interception. During a meticulous search of Ibrahim’s Peugeot 504, soldiers discovered the machine guns alongside ammunition and various personal items, including N170,000 in cash and several “charms” believed to be used for protection during his illicit activities.

​Preliminary investigations suggest the suspect was moving the weapons through the Ibi riverine axis, a known transit point for criminal networks. Military sources indicate that the interrogation is ongoing to identify the primary source of the machine guns and their intended recipients within the state.

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​A Resolute Mandate

​The Commander of 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Micheal Akaliro, who recently assumed leadership of the formation, lauded the troops for their “vigilance and professionalism.” He emphasized that the interception has denied criminal elements the firepower needed to destabilize the region.

​“The mandate of the Chief of Army Staff is clear: we must rid Taraba of criminality. These are medium-caliber machine guns with the capacity to cause immense damage. Our boots remain on the neck of anyone seeking to disrupt the peace,” Brigadier General Akaliro stated.

​The Commander also expressed gratitude to the local community, noting that the success of the mission was heavily bolstered by credible intelligence provided by patriotic citizens. He urged the public to remain security-conscious as the Army intensifies its “Operation Whirl Stroke” to restore lasting stability across the state.