By Abdallah el-Kurebe, Editor
#TrackNigeria: The Nigerian Army has said that troops of 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi on Friday encountered with suspected armed robbers in Benue state.
According to a statement by the Assistant Director Army Public Relations of 707 Special Forces Brigade Makurdi, Captain Samson Zhakom and made available to Newsdiaryonline Friday said the troops were deployed to Yelwata, in Guma local government area of the state.
He added that the troops were on patrol along Yelwata-Kadarko road Yelwata to monitor post election activities when they had an encounter at the town, which is a border town between Benue and Nasarawa states.
“The suspected armed robbers were dressed in military desert camouflage and robbing motorists along the road. However, the gallant troops of the Battalion engaged the robbers in a gun battle which resulted in the elimination of one of the armed robbers during the encounter, while others took to their heels.
“Items recovered include :a. One locally made rifle. b. Three rounds of 7.62MM special ammunition. c. One empty case of 7.62MM Special ammunition.
“Similarly, some cultists who have been terrorising the North-Bank general area in Makurdi metropolis were arrested by Intelligent Operatives of 72 Special Forces Battalion deployed within the town to monitor post election activities.
“The suspects are Mr Shuaibu Sale, Mr Umar Sule and Mr Idris Bawa.
“Items recovered from them incude: a. One locally made revolver pistol. b. One round of 9mm c. A poly bag containing weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp,” the statement read.
The Army enjoined the public to be security conscious as well as report any suspicious activities of or movements of individuals or groups to the nearest law enforcement agents for prompt action.
