Troops from 3 Division of Nigerian Army, operating under the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), successfully prevented a planned large-scale assault on Plateau State communities.
Gatekeepers News reports that the troops neutralised five suspected bandits and seized weapons and ammunition in the intelligence-led ambush.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Captain Joshua Atu John, Acting Media Information Officer of JTF OPEP, the operation was executed in the early hours of January 1, 2026, as part of sustained offensive efforts under Operation Peace Shield designed to deny criminal elements freedom of movement within the Joint Operations Area (JOA).
Troops, acting on credible intelligence, deployed an ambush along the Dutsen Zaki–Odare Forest axis in Wase Local Government Area after intercepting information that an armed group was mobilising to attack neighbouring settlements.
During the ensuing confrontation, soldiers engaged the assailants in a fierce firefight that resulted in the neutralisation of five bandits, while others reportedly fled with varying degrees of injury.
Recovered from the scene were two AK-47 rifle magazines loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, two machetes, and a knife, indicating the violent intentions of the suspects and the seriousness of the thwarted plot. Follow-up operations are ongoing to track and apprehend those who escaped.
Major General E.F. Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of JTF OPEP, reassured residents of Plateau State and adjoining areas of the military’s continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property within its area of responsibility.
He reaffirmed that the troops remain vigilant and ready to respond decisively to any threats that could undermine peace and stability in the region.
The military also urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains crucial to sustaining peace and complementing ongoing operations against insecurity.
