Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have uncovered a building with four in-built detention cells believed to have been used for holding kidnapped victims in Southern Taraba.

Also found at the site was a shrine containing a human skull, raising concerns over the use of occult practices by the criminal gang.

The discovery was made during a two-day clearance operation conducted between June 19 and 20 in parts of Wukari and Takum Local Government Areas, according to a statement released on Saturday in Jalingo by the Acting Army Public Relations Officer of the Brigade, Captain Olubodunde Oni.

The hideout, located in Mande Atsager in Takum Council, suspected to be a stronghold of a notorious bandit leader, Verior John Gata, was destroyed after troops came under fire and overpowered the criminals, who fled into the surrounding forest.

Earlier, on June 19, the troops began their advance along the High Tension route from Chonku to Gor Road, combing through several villages in Wukari LGA, including Lortema, Gudu, Mbayenge, and Teyotima. At Teyotima, acting on intelligence, they searched the home of the mother of a known criminal, ANGBA, alias “Yellow,” but no arrests or weapons were made.

The operation moved to Ikayior village, where another wanted criminal, AKIKI UTIV, also known as “Full Fire,” was believed to be operating. Troops uncovered and dismantled a bandit camp, recovering an AK-47 magazine loaded with 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. The camp was destroyed.

Operations continued the following day in Takum LGA, where troops cleared Chanchangi, Jam Kaanan, Hingir, Ukum, and Nbaume without encountering resistance until reaching Mande Atsager.

During the search of the abandoned hideout in Mande Atsager, troops found the detention cells and the occult shrine. The entire site was cleared and subsequently demolished to prevent reuse by criminal elements.

Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the troops for their professionalism and effectiveness. He reiterated the Army’s resolve to dismantle all criminal networks in Taraba State and restore peace to the region.

He also commended local communities for their support and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence, while remaining alert and reporting any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency.