By Matthew Abi
#TrackNigeria: Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke operating to combat bandits in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states have neutralized two armed bandits in an encounter at the weekend.
In a statement issued by the Director Defense Information, Defense Headquarters, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu and made available to Newsdiaryonline Saturday said the troops while on patrol along Nagi-Ucheki- Audu- Enger-Adudu axis in Gwer West local government area of Benue State, responded to an attack by a group of bandits and killed one, while others fled.
The troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle, 2 rifle magazines, 48 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, 1 machete, 1 mobile phone and a bag of charms, abandoned by the criminals.
In a similar development, the troops deployed to Zaki Biam in Ukum local government area of Benue state averted a violent ethnic clash between Tivs and Jukuns at Jootar, a border community between Ukum and Wukari local government areas of Taraba state.
The statement said the troops on patrol, responded to a distress call, which alerted them of a violent clash between Tivs and Jukuns at the border community, adding that “the intervening troops met with stiff resistance by armed militias who engaged the troops in a fire fight.
“The troops neutralized one of the militias firing with an automatic weapon, while others fled the scene. The troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, 2 magazines and 26 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition from the neutralized bandit, a locally fabricated gun and a dagger from the fleeing militias,” it read.
Also, the troops on patrol to Ikyoawe, Tsegumme and Tsezongo communities in Kwande local government area of Benue, the statement added, destroyed an armed militia camp after dislodging the criminals, following a gun duel at Tsezungo on Friday.
“The armed bandits, who were overpowered by the troops escaped with gunshot wounds abandoning munitions and other logistics. After the encounter, the troops recovered 2 rifle magazines, 60 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition and 2 mobile handsets. The troops are still on the trail of the bandits.”
The Army appealed to the public to provide security agencies “with information that would be useful in detecting individuals and groups who are covertly engaging or supporting violent and criminal activities in their towns and communities.”
