Defence Headquarters said 35 herdsmen terrorising Benue State were killed last weekend, declaring that one soldier was still missing as another was killed and two others wounded in the clearance operation by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke which took off in Taraba, Nasarawa, Zamfara and Benue states.
This is even five persons were on Sunday night killed at Mchia village in Logo local government area of Benue State by suspected herdsmen.
Similarly, two persons were killed by gunmen at Pasakori village in Jema’a local government area of Kaduna State.
Brigadier General John Agim, acting Director of Defence Information, said in a statement Sunday that suspected bandit, one Adamu Abdullah, was also arrested in Nasarawa with deadly ammunition.
The statement read, “Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) operating in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states conducted a four prong clearance operations during the weekend.
“At Umaisha and Toto Villages, troops ambushed the militia following a tipoff of a planned attack on the two villages.
” On the ensuing melee 1 x G3 rifle, 193 x 17.62 mm NATO, 81xG3 rifle ammunition, a locally made pistol and 1 FN magazine filled with round were recovered and one militia was killed.
“In another development, one Adamu Abdullahi, a suspected herdsman at Rukubi in Doma local government area of Nasarawa state was arrested in possession of an ID card of the vigilante group of Nigeria, Nasarawa state command and a photograph in which he posed with an AK47 rifle.
“The suspect is still under interrogation and will be handed over to the police for prosecution after preliminary investigation.
“Similarly, clearance operation across Gwer West, Logo and Guma local government area’s of Benue State was conducted during the weekend. Troops made contact with heavily armed herdsmen around lower Benue and a militia camp at chetarer village.
“The troops engaged the militia and followed the pursuit with M135 Helicopter of their air component. This led to a large member of them being neutralized. In all, 35 herdsmen were neutralized and a large number of them escaped with gunshot injuries.
“However, a soldier was killed in action (KIA), 2 sustained slight injuries but have been treated and discharged. Also, 1 soldier is still missing in action.
“Furthermore, OPWS in Nasarawa State arrested one Musa Habu (aged 32 years) at Kolo close to Umiasha in Toto Local Government Council.
“Items recovered from the suspect include; 1 locally made pistol, 2 x cartridges, 1 Techno phone and hundred and thirty naira only. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is linked with some suspected militia in that locality. He has been handed over to the DSS for further necessary action.
‘”In the same vein, troops of OPWS sector 3 Taraba, on patrol through Kwesati, Manya-Garagun axis made contact with 8 bandits who were arrested and were armed with 2 AK47 rifle, 1 x K2 rifle and 2 x locally made gun.
“Ammunitions recovered from them include 56 rounds of 7.6mm, 25 rounds of k2, 3x cartridge, charms, phones amongst other items. Suspects and items are to be handed over to DSS for further investigation.”
Also on Sunday night, at least five persons were killed at Mchia village, in Logo local government area of Benue State by suspected herdsmen.
According to a source in Logo, the attack occurred in a crowed village square where many of the victims had gathered to do night trading.
“The armed herdsmen stormed the busy village square at about 9 p.m. where many of the victims, including traders, usually gather for evening commercial activities.
“The came shooting sporadically, people started running for their lives but five of those who were not so lucky were gunned down while seven others sustained serious injuries.
“The invaders immediately fled the scene after the attack. As we speaking people have started fleeing the village though many could not muster enough courage to sleep in the village but military personnel have already moved into the community to check further attacks.”
When contacted, the chairman of the local government area, Richard Nyajo, who confirmed the attack, said the victims were his kinsmen.
“Mchia is my village, armed herdsmen attacked the community when night trading was going on at a square around 9pm. They opened fire on the people killing 5 persons and injuring many others. After the attack, they withdrew through Arugu a village close to Anyiin.
“After the attackers fled, the villagers tracked their footsteps and discovered some bank ATM cards which they belief belonged to the fleeing invaders.
“The recovered items would be given to security personnel as evidence which could help them investigate the matter. From what I gathered the attackers were about 10 in number.
“As we speak, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have already moved to the area and they are on the trail of the marauders.
Meanwhile, two persons were killed, following an attack by unidentified gunmen at Pasakori village in Jema’a Local Government area of Kaduna State.
ASP Mukhtar Aliyu, ASP Mukhtar Aliyu, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, who confirmed the incident, said the assailants stormed the village around 10 pm Sunday night.
Aliyu said the attackers shot sporadically, killing two persons, while three others sustained injuries, adding that security agents had since been mobilised to the area while investigation was ongoing.
Mr Silas Maza, a student of Kaduna State College of Education Gidan Waya, about one kilometre away from Pasakori village said they heard gun shots fired miles away and panicked before the noise subsided a few minutes later.
“Soldiers were deployed to the area and as we speak. There are a number of check points on the road,” he said.
