The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Tuesday said that its troops under Operation WHIRL STROKE killed suspected armed herdsmen and destroyed their camp in the forest boundary between Benue and Nasarawa States as part of the military’s “aggressive clearance” operation to stamp out the Northcentral zone of the country of terrorism and other criminal activities.
Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, said in a statement that the troops also killed two bandits in a joint dawn raid operation on the identified hideout at Adu. In addition, three bandits were arrested in their hideout at Chanchanji in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State and Sai in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to the statement, “following credible intelligence on the presence of some suspected armed herdsmen harbouring in the forest boundary between Benue and Nasarawa States yesterday 14 September 2020, troops of Sector 1 engaged the bandits at first light with many of them escaping with gunshot wounds. Their camp was subsequently destroyed.
In the same vein, following actionable intelligence on the possible hideout of remnants of late Gana’s militia elements around Adu general area in Chanchanji council ward of Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, Troops of Sector 2 deployed at Gbise in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue State in conjunction with troops of Sector 4 conducted a joint dawn raid operation on the identified hideout at Adu.
“In the course of the operation, troops had contact with the armed militias who fired at troops as they closed in on their position. The gallant troops swiftly responded with superior fire forcing the bandits to flee the camp in disarray into the surrounding forest. In the course of the encounter, 2 armed militias were neutralized. Also, 2 locally made pistols were recovered from the bandits.
“Thereafter, troops carried out another raid operation on another identified armed bandits hideout at Chanchanji in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State and Sai in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue State during which 3 suspects namely; Saalu Igbua Terlumun, Benjamin Valentine and Milton Gbegi were arrested at Sai while Isaac Hilega aka Bawasa and Godwin Terwase were arrested at Chanchanji.
“The gallant troops combed the hideouts leading to the recovery of 16 Handsets, Charms and some substances suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation after which they will be handed over to the police for further action. Currently, troops have dominated the area with fighting patrols to deter armed elements and deny them freedom of movement.
The Military High Command congratulates the gallant troops for the feats recorded and encourages them to sustain the onslaught against the criminal elements.”