Force Commander Operation Whirl Stroke Engages Troops At FOB Obagaji, Agatu LGA

Force Commander Operation Whirl Stroke Engages Troops At FOB Obagaji, Agatu LGA

The Force Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, conducted an operational visit to troops stationed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Obagaji in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State on 7 July 2025. He was accompanied by the Commanding Officers, 72 Special Forces Battalion and COAS Intervention Battalion IX, Lieutenant Colonel SI Agwom and Lieutenant Colonel SO Lawal while the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Honourable Ambassador James Melvin Ejeh was on ground to receive the Force Commander.

During his address to the troops, Major General Gara commended their unwavering commitment, gallantry, and professionalism in confronting threats within the Operation Whirl Stroke Area of Responsibility (AOR). He assured the soldiers that their operational performance and sacrifices have not gone unnoticed by the military high command. “Soldiering has never been easy. That is the burden of service, and you are bearing it with honour,” he noted.

The Force Commander emphasized the non-negotiable role of discipline in military success, stating, “Without discipline, there is no Army.” He also stressed the importance of continuous training as a force multiplier in counter-insurgency and internal security operations.

In a bid to improve mobility, communication, and response capabilities, the Commander promised to source additional motorcycles and tactical communication equipment. He also condemned all forms of violence that result in the shedding of innocent blood, reiterating the military’s commitment to upholding human rights and protecting civilians.

As part of the operational assessment, Major General Gara visited flashpoint communities of Olagba and Egba that has been embroiled in communal crises while the Air Component OPWS conducted sorties overhead Okwutanobe and Ukpelu that has recently witnessed isolated revenge attacks attributed to cattle theft. The visit was aimed at evaluating the security situation, engaging local leaders, and restoring civil-military cooperation.

Honourable Ambassador James Melvin Ejeh expressed profound appreciation to the Force Commander for his swift intervention. He noted that the presence of the high-ranking military delegation has restored hope and confidence among residents. “Your visit today is a message of assurance that the Nigerian military stands with our people in these trying times. It gives us hope that normalcy and peace will soon return to our communities,” the Chairman affirmed.