Army Intercepts Two Gunrunners in Taraba; 444 Rounds of Ammunition and Cash Recovered During Road Search

The Nigerian Army has successfully blocked a major supply of illegal ammunition in Taraba State. On Thursday, March 19, 2026, troops from the 6 Brigade, operating under Operation Whirl Stroke, arrested two men suspected of being middle-men for criminal gangs.

The suspects, identified as Wisdom Soomga and Elisha Danladi, were stopped by a military patrol while traveling on a motorcycle along the Wukari–Ikyaior highway. After a thorough search, the soldiers were shocked to find nearly 450 rounds of live ammunition tucked away in their belongings. Along with the bullets, the troops recovered ₦29,200 in cash and several personal items, including local charms.

Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, who leads the Brigade, praised his men for their “vigilance and prompt response.” He noted that catching gunrunners is a key part of the Chief of Army Staff’s plan to make the North-East safer for everyone. “By taking these bullets off the street, we have potentially saved many lives,” the General added.

The Army is now investigating the suspects’ phone records to track down their collaborators. They have also urged the public to keep sharing “timely and credible” information to help security forces keep the state peaceful during the holiday season.