Troops Neutralize Bandit, Recover Arms in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have neutralised an armed bandit and recovered a cache of arms during a clearance operation at Mararaba Gbagir in Benue State.
The operation, which took place on Tuesday, followed credible intelligence on the presence of suspected armed elements in the area.
It was gathered that the troops encountered the criminals during a fighting patrol and engaged them in a gun duel, leading to the death of one of the suspects, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
Items recovered during the operation include six AK47 magazines, three rounds of 9mm ammunition, two rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one locally fabricated gun and one locally fabricated pistol. The troops also destroyed charms and shrines found at the location.
The Force Commander of OPWS, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and gallantry, noting that their swift action was instrumental in disrupting criminal activities in the area.
Gara urged the troops to sustain the tempo and reaffirmed the commitment of the Joint Task Force to restoring peace and security across Benue and other parts of the joint operations area.
He also called on the public to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and actionable intelligence.
