Troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP) have engaged bandits at Manja along the fringes of Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State, recovering weapon and ammunition as they retreated “in disarray.”
Spokesperson of JTF OPEP, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, said in a statement that the operation, which was conducted on September 24, 2025, was “part of efforts aimed at sustaining the clampdown on militias, bandits and other criminal elements in the Joint Operations Area (JOA).”
The statement noted that during the intelligence-based operation, “troops made contact with elements of armed bandits who withdrew in disarray due to superior firepower of troops. Furthermore, troops exploited the general area and recovered assorted rifle, ammunition and two mobile phones abandoned by the criminals.
“The recovered weapon and ammunition are in custody for further action. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to intercept and neutralise the fleeing criminals.
“Troops’ operational alertness and readiness are bedrock for which the operational achievement is based, and these fundamentals will continue to assist the operations to secure the JTF OPEP Joint Operations Area and bring perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice.”
