Troops from the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 – Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have unearthed a chilling bandit hideout in southern Taraba, complete with makeshift detention cells and a shrine containing a human skull.
The discovery occurred during a two-day clearance operation in Wukari and Takum Local Government Areas conducted between June 19 and 20.
Acting on intelligence, the troops advanced into Mande Atsager in Takum, believed to be a stronghold of notorious bandit leader Verior John Gata.
The assault led to a brief firefight, after which the criminals fled into surrounding forests. The building was subsequently destroyed to prevent its reuse.
“The hideout, located in Mande Atsager in Takum Council… was destroyed after troops came under fire and overpowered the criminals, who fled into the surrounding forest,” said Captain Olubodunde Oni, Acting Army PRO for the Brigade.
The abandoned structure contained four in-built detention cells, allegedly used to confine kidnapped victims, and a shrine with a human skull, signaling involvement in occult criminal practices.
Prior to that, troops had advanced from Chonku along the High Tension route towards Gor Road in Wukari LGA, sweeping through villages including Lortema, Gudu, Mbayenge, and Teyotima.
There, they searched the home of a known criminal’s mother—but made no arrests there.
The operation continued in Ikayior village, where another suspected bandit camp was dismantled and an AK-47 magazine with 14 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition was recovered.
On the following day, troops carried out further clearance in parts of Takum LGA, covering Chanchangi, Jam Kaanan, Hingir, Ukum, and Nbaume, before reaching the Mande Atsager hideout.
“During the search of the abandoned hideout in Mande Atsager, troops found the detention cells and the occult shrine,” the statement added.
The site was completely razed to prevent reuse by criminal elements.
Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, Commander of the 6 Brigade, commended the troops for their professionalism and effectiveness.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace in Taraba State, urging community cooperation in sharing intelligence.
