By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Nigeria Army used to illustrate the story |
MAKURDI, Benue State – Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have killed one suspected bandit and recovered a substantial arsenal of weapons, including three rifles, during a decisive raid in Benue State. The operation, which took place on Tuesday, targeted a known militant hideout, disrupting a gang responsible for widespread violence.
According to an official statement from the acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the success was a result of a coordinated snap raid by both ground and air components.
The operation focused on the hideout of a notorious armed bandit leader within the Mbagen community, located in the restive Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. The area has been a hotspot for criminal activities, including kidnappings and communal clashes.
Lieutenant Zubairu detailed that upon arrival at the targeted location, the troops were met with immediate resistance. "Troops made contact with the criminals and engaged them in a fierce firefight," he stated.
The superior firepower and tactical advantage of the security forces led to the neutralization of one bandit, while the gang leader managed to escape. A subsequent thorough search of the area yielded a significant cache of illegal arms and ammunition.
The recovered items underscore the threat level posed by the criminal element. The haul included two AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, five AK-47 magazines, one G3 magazine, and one hand grenade.
Furthermore, troops seized two BAOFENG communication radios, 162 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a Sanya motorcycle believed to have been used by the bandits for their operations. This recovery is expected to severely hamper the gang's ability to launch attacks in the vicinity.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their gallantry, resilience, and tactical proficiency displayed during the two-day clearance operations. He emphasized that the successful raid has further disrupted the activities of criminal gangs responsible for killings, kidnappings, and other violent crimes within the area.
Major General Gara reaffirmed the zero-tolerance stance of the security forces towards criminality, issuing a stern warning to all criminal elements operating in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states to desist or face the full wrath of the law.
NAN