Inspiring Confidence: 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, has commended the dedication and gallantry of troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Obagaji in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
The visit, which took place on 7 July 2025, was conducted alongside the Commanding Officers of the 72 Special Forces Battalion and COAS Intervention Battalion IX, Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Agwom and Lieutenant Colonel S.O. Lawal. The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Honourable Ambassador James Melvin Ejeh, was on hand to receive the delegation.
Addressing the troops, Major General Gara lauded their unwavering commitment, professionalism, and sacrifices in confronting security threats within the OPWS Area of Responsibility (AOR). He assured them that their efforts have not gone unnoticed by the military high command, adding, “Soldiering has never been easy. That is the burden of service, and you are bearing it with honour.”
He emphasized the non-negotiable role of discipline in military success, stating, “Without discipline, there is no Army,” while also stressing the importance of continuous training as a force multiplier in counter-insurgency and internal security operations.
In a bid to boost mobility, communication, and response capabilities, the Force Commander pledged to provide 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 protecting civilians and upholding human rights.
As part of the operational assessment, Major General Gara visited the flashpoint communities of Olagba and Egba, which have been embroiled in communal crises. Meanwhile, the OPWS Air Component conducted reconnaissance sorties over Okwutanobe and Ukpelu—areas that have recently witnessed isolated revenge attacks linked to cattle theft.
Chairman Ejeh praised the Force Commander’s swift intervention, stating that the presence of the high-ranking military delegation had restored hope 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,” he said.
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