On Tuesday, 12th August 2025, the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) Maj. Gen. Moses Gara conducted an inaugural joint land and maritime operational tour of Gidan Pepa in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State and Loko in Nasarawa State.
The objective of this visit was to assess the security infrastructure and the efficacy of deployed troops within the Joint Operations Area. The tour included a riverine patrol along critical water corridors, highlighting the Commander’s emphasis on integrated multi-domain operations to stabilize volatile areas.
During the visit, the Commander commended the troops for their unwavering dedication to maintaining peace and urged them to remain combat-ready, mission-focused, and to foster civil-military cooperation with local communities.
He assured the prompt completion of ongoing accommodation projects to enhance the welfare of the troops and committed to delivering essential operational assets, including all-terrain motorcycles, communication equipment, and other mission-critical tools, to improve mobility and command efficiency in difficult terrains.
Reinforcing the importance of discipline and vigilance, he instructed the troops: “Maintain your weapons and remain attentive to your environment. Intelligence serves as your first layer of defense.”
The Commander expressed his appreciation to Hon. Shuaibu Umar, Sole Administrator of Loko, and Mr. Mike Ejiwo, a respected elder of Gidan Pepa, for their support and positive assessments of troop conduct. Mr. Ejiwo highlighted that the community has experienced over five years without farmer-herder conflicts, attributed to the effective military presence.
Emphasizing the military’s commitment to personnel welfare, the Commander remarked that the Nigerian Armed Forces remain the only institution to have increased ration cash allowances in response to current economic realities. “We cannot identify ourselves as your commanders if we do not provide for you. I am here to commend your efforts,” he stated.
He was accompanied by Brigadier General H.I. Audu, Commander of Sector 2 OPWS; the Maritime Component Commander; the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Component Commander; and other senior officers. The operational tour also included a visit to Yelwata, a strategic settlement, to evaluate the security situation and reinforce troop presence.
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