Nigerian Army Busts Taraba Kingpin John Gata’s Secret Armoury, Intercepts Wife, Recovers AK-47s, Grenades

The Nigerian Army has recorded a major operational success in Taraba State after troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) intercepted the wife of a notorious criminal kingpin, John Gata, and uncovered a large, concealed armoury stocked with deadly weapons.

Military sources disclosed that the operation, which was intelligence-driven, led to the discovery of the arms cache in Amadu village, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, following the arrest of the suspect’s wife during a coordinated interception along a key transit route.

According to information made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), credible intelligence revealed that the woman was travelling through Amadu Village, Wukari, Kyado and Zaki-Biam, with Gboko as her final destination. Acting on this tip-off, troops of Sub-Sector 1A swiftly mounted a snap roadblock at Zaki-Biam, where they intercepted the suspect without any resistance.

A senior military source at Army Headquarters confirmed on Sunday that, during preliminary questioning, the woman cooperated with troops and led them to her husband’s hidden armoury located within Amadu village.

A thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including:

• 13 AK-47 rifles
• 38 magazines
• 690 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
• Four hand grenades

Military authorities said the discovered armoury was immediately destroyed at the location to prevent it from being reused by the criminal network or other armed groups operating within the region.

The Army further confirmed that all troops involved in the operation returned safely to base, adding that the security situation across the area remains calm and under control.

“The morale of the troops and their operational readiness remain very high as fighting and confidence-building patrols continue across the region,” the source stated.

The military also noted that civil-military relations in the affected communities remain cordial, with residents continuing to support ongoing efforts to rid the area of criminal elements and illegal arms.

The latest operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s sustained commitment to dismantling criminal networks, cutting off illegal arms supply chains, and restoring lasting peace across flashpoints in Taraba State and the wider North-Central region.

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By Joseph Iyaji
Akahi News