Troops of 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, have intercepted a suspected gunrunner and recovered 969 rounds of ammunition during an operation in Taraba State.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the Army said the arrest was made on February 21, 2026, at Sarkin Kudu in Ibi Local Government Area.
The statement, signed by Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, was titled: “Troops intercept suspected gun runner, recover 969 rounds of ammunition in Taraba.”
According to the Army, the operation followed actionable and credible intelligence.
“In continued efforts to stamp out criminal activities and sustain peace in Taraba State, troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), on 21 February 2026, successfully intercepted and arrested a suspected gun-runner during a stop-and-search operation at Sarkin Kudu in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State,” the statement read.
It explained that vigilant troops on sentry duty flagged down an Audi vehicle with registration number RBC 798 DV (Abuja). Upon a thorough search, one Mr. Monday Reuben, a 48-year-old from Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was arrested.
Items recovered from the suspect included two AK-47 rifles; 197 empty magazines; one box of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammunition containing 250 rounds; 14 packs of 9mm Parabellum ammunition containing 700 rounds; and 19 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Other items seized were the sum of ₦2,440,000; a wallet containing four identification cards and four ATM cards; one Android phone and one Itel keypad phone; a power bank; eight bottles of perfume; one rechargeable touch light; and assorted local charms.
The Army said the suspect and recovered items are currently in custody and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and necessary action.
The Commander, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Akaliro, commended the troops for their alertness and diligence.
He emphasised that the Brigade must maintain the operational tempo in line with the mandate of the Chief of Army Staff to rid Taraba State of criminality and threats to lives and property.
Akaliro also noted that officers and soldiers involved in the successful operation would be recognised and rewarded in line with the Brigade’s reward and sanction policy.
