Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have thwarted coordinated attempts by armed bandits to invade communities in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday in Makurdi.
The latest operations come just a week after suspected armed herders and local bandits ambushed and killed 11 security operatives within the same council area.
According to Zubairu, soldiers deployed between September 26 and 28 foiled attacks targeted at Agurugu and Igyudu villages.
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He revealed that on September 26, troops stationed at Abaji received credible intelligence on the movement of a group of bandits around Agurugu. “The troops immediately mobilised to the area and unable to withstand the superior firepower of the gallant soldiers, the bandits fled in disarray,” he stated.
Providing further details, Zubairu said that on September 28, another patrol team deployed to Gbise clashed with bandits advancing toward Igyudu village. “Subsequent search of the scene led to the recovery of one automatic pistol, three 9mm rounds, 33 7.62mm special ammunition, 15 5.56 x 45mm rounds, two AK-47 magazines, and 29 mobile phones abandoned by the fleeing criminals,” he said.
He added that the same day, troops in Gbise embarked on a separate fighting patrol following reports of bandit activities in Igyudu. “On sighting the advancing soldiers, the bandits again abandoned their positions and fled. The troops conducted a thorough search of the entire village, recovering one single-barrel gun, three rounds of 7.62mm NATO, two AK-47 magazines, one G3 magazine, one hand grenade, one tear gas canister, assorted medical kits, and an Itel phone,” Zubairu explained.
Quoting the OPWS Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, Zubairu said the troops were commended for their “bravery, swift response, and professionalism.” Gara assured residents of Katsina-Ala and surrounding communities of their safety, while urging them to continue providing intelligence support.
“We remain committed to restoring lasting peace in Benue and neighbouring states. Our troops have shown resilience and determination, and we will not relent until these areas are completely secured,” the force commander was quoted as saying.
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