Army kills three bandits, recovers arms in Benue

TROOPS of Operation Whirl Stroke on Saturday killed three gang members of the late Terwase Akwaza, aka Gana at Chito, in the headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

A source simply identified as Terhilel disclosed that three bandits, under the leadership of one of the lieutenants of late Gana, popularly known as “Full Fire”, had been terrorising the Sankera area.

Terhilel told our correspondent on Monday that the troops, during the operation, neutralised three bandits and recovered an undisclosed number of weapons, two motorcycles and three mobile phones.

It was also learnt that the troops also flushed out herdsmen in the Katsina-Ala LGA and its environs.

Terhilel stated, “At about 10pm last weekend,  following credible intelligence from some people on the robbery activities of a notorious bandit named Full Fire and his members at Chito in Zaki-Biam, troops of OPWS deployed in Zaki-Biam, Ukum conducted a clearance patrol at the Chito general area.

“On sighting the troops, the bandits fled while the troops engaged them in hot pursuit and were able to neutralise three of the bandits.

“The troops also combed and searched the area and recovered some items including firearms, two motorcycles and three mobile phones.”

The troops deployed at Gbise in Katsina-Ala also carried out offensive fighting patrol at Atunbe, Madamu, Kaamen, Ude -Jor, Kasar, Tor-Tacha and River Yoyo in Utange and Yoyo Council Wards of Katsina-Ala LGA.

“The purpose of the patrol was to flush out armed herdsmen terrorising the area.

“During the patrol, OPWS troops made contact with herdsmen at Tor -Tacha, but the troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the herdsmen to flee in disarray with possible gunshot wounds.

“We further learnt that the troops conducted a search around the area and recovered firearms and cutlasses,” he added.

Efforts to get the Public Relations Officer of OPWS, Audu Katty, to confirm the report were not successful as calls made to his phone rang out.

However, a military source who confirmed the operation stated, “We shall continue to go after any person or group of persons destroying innocent lives and property while working tirelessly to ensure that peace is returned to various communities across the Joint Operations Area.