Troops Thwart Terrorists Plot to Disrupt APC Primaries in Benue, Arrest Suspect

Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke have foiled an attempt by armed militia members to disrupt the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections in Benue State, arresting a suspect and recovering weapons during a swift response operation.

The incident occurred on May 16, 2026, in Aliade, Gwer East Local Government Area, where security forces moved in following intelligence on the movement of armed men allegedly planning to interfere with the electoral process.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, the troops engaged the militia group in a coordinated operation that prevented what could have escalated into violence during the party primaries.

The operation led to the arrest of one suspect, while a Toyota Sienna vehicle believed to have been used as a getaway car was recovered alongside an AK-47 rifle, magazines and live ammunition.

“In Benue State, on May 16, 2026, troops in Aliade, Gwer East LGA swiftly countered an armed militia group attempting to violently disrupt the ongoing APC primary elections. Troops engaged the militia, arrested one suspect, and recovered a getaway Sienna vehicle, an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and live ammunition,” the statement read.

Beyond the Benue operation, Onoja also disclosed that troops under Operation Savannah Shield continued targeted offensives against underground networks linked to terrorist logistics and communications across parts of Kwara State.

On May 14, troops at Forward Operating Base Kaiama arrested a suspected terrorist operative allegedly connected to an earlier attack on police officers at Tenebu village. The arrest followed intercepted communications in which the suspect reportedly admitted involvement in the assault.

In a separate operation at Bokungi in Edu Local Government Area, troops arrested a suspected gang leader who was allegedly travelling towards Ilorin. Security sources said mobile devices recovered from him contained images of assault rifles and large sums of cash believed to be proceeds of extortion.

The statement further noted that on May 16, troops conducted a cordon and search operation at Tunga Maje in Kaiama LGA, where a suspected insurgent informant was arrested. His phone contacts allegedly contained links to a wanted terrorist figure identified as Abba Salma.

The military said the series of coordinated operations reflect ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal and terrorist networks while maintaining security stability during sensitive political activities across the country.