By Reportcircle I Abuja
In a blistering show of force that underscores the growing volatility of communal conflicts in the Northeast, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade stormed Usmanu Village in Taraba State at the weekend, neutralising four armed militia fighters, seizing weapons, and uncovering a shocking case of a police officer allegedly operating alongside the attackers.
The swift, hard-hitting operation executed under Operation Peace Shield was triggered by credible intelligence of renewed hostilities between the Shomo and Wurkun communities in Karim Lamido Local Government Area.
What began as a protracted land dispute had again spiralled into violence, leaving homes torched and residents displaced in a rapidly deteriorating security atmosphere.
Acting on the intelligence, 6 Brigade forces launched an immediate deployment to the crisis zone.
But as troops advanced into the Fadama axis, they were ambushed by armed assailants who opened heavy fire.
The soldiers responded with precision, cutting down four members of the militia in a brief yet fierce firefight that halted the attackers’ momentum.
A follow-up search-and-clearance of the area yielded a cache of weapons and logistics, including three dane guns, a fabricated AK-47 rifle, twenty-five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and two motorcycles believed to have been used by the fleeing fighters.
However, the most startling discovery was the arrest of a serving personnel of the Nigeria Police Force found embedded with the armed group.
Officials say he is currently undergoing intensive profiling to determine his role, motives, and possible links to broader criminal networks fuelling the conflict.
Commander of 6 Brigade and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, hailed the troops for their discipline, swift execution, and adherence to rules of engagement despite the ambush.
He vowed that the Brigade will sustain aggressive operations until criminal elements are flushed out of Taraba’s conflict corridors.
“Taraba people can count on our unwavering commitment to restore peace and stability,” he said, urging residents to embrace peaceful coexistence and continue providing actionable intelligence to security agencies.
The Nigerian Army also appealed for calm, assuring that stability is gradually returning as operations intensify under Operation Peace Shield, Operation Lafiya Nakowa, and Operation Zafin Wuta.
Troops are reportedly maintaining pressure across multiple axes to prevent retaliatory attacks and dismantle remaining militant structures.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest security formation as the Army pushes to extinguish the sparks of conflict that continue to endanger lives across the region.
