Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have foiled attempts by bandits to attack communities in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Makurdi.
The operation comes barely a week after suspected armed herders and local bandits ambushed and killed 11 security personnel in the same area.
Zubairu said that between September 26 and 28, troops thwarted the bandits’ plans to attack Agurugu and Igyudu villages. Acting on credible intelligence on September 26, troops deployed at Abaji intercepted bandits at Agurugu, forcing them to flee under heavy fire.
On September 28, troops on a fighting patrol toward Igyudu also engaged the criminals, who abandoned their positions and fled. Items recovered during the operations included an automatic pistol, a single-barrel gun, several rounds of ammunition, AK-47 and G3 magazines, a hand grenade, a tear gas canister, medical kits, and 30 mobile phones.
Zubairu quoted the OPWS Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, as commending the troops’ bravery and professionalism. Gara assured residents of Katsina-Ala and surrounding communities of their safety, urging them to provide timely intelligence to aid ongoing operations.
“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,” Gara said.
