The military said the offensive was conducted alongside personnel of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts across the region.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Media Information Officer of the task force, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the operation commenced in the early hours of July 16 and concluded the following day.
The statement explained that the troops advanced from Takum in neighbouring Taraba State through Tse Togo and Utenge communities across River Yooyo to Orter Camp, where suspected terrorists were believed to be operating.
On reaching the location, security personnel engaged the armed suspects in a gun battle, leading to the death of two of the attackers, while others fled into nearby bushes.
The operation also resulted in the rescue of three kidnapped victims identified as Nyityo Abraham, a teacher; Uzuegwu Chukwuemeka Decency, a spare parts dealer; and Terhember Tavarshima, a farmer. All three victims are residents of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
Military authorities disclosed that several other captives escaped from the camp during the exchange of gunfire, although the exact number could not be immediately confirmed.
Security operatives recovered a cache of weapons and military items from the hideout, including an AK-47 rifle, a G3 rifle fitted with an optical sight, a pistol, 19 AK-47 magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition of different calibres.
Also recovered were a Moniepoint Point-of-Sale machine, two pairs of desert camouflage uniforms and two pairs of woodland camouflage uniforms believed to have been used by the suspects.
The Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their courage and professionalism during the operation. He reaffirmed the military's commitment to sustaining operations aimed at eliminating terrorists and other criminal elements within the joint operations area.
Gara also appreciated other security agencies and members of host communities for providing support and actionable intelligence, urging residents to continue cooperating with security forces in the fight against insecurity.
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