Troops kill suspected bandit, recover arms in Benue

Troops from Operation Whirl Stroke have killed a suspected bandit and seized weapons during an operation in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

Ahmad Zubairu, the acting media officer at the headquarters of JTF Operation Whirl Stroke, shared this news in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Zubairu explained that the troops of Sector 1 came across two suspected bandits on a motorcycle along the Gbise-Igyudu Road on September 2.

He said the troops engaged the suspects in a gunfight after spotting that they were armed. “One of the suspected bandits was neutralised, while the second suspect fled the scene when subdued by superior firepower,” he stated.

The troops then searched the area to make sure the fleeing suspect did not endanger nearby communities.

They recovered a pistol, a pistol magazine, an AK-47 magazine, eight rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one 7.62mm NATO round, two 9mm rounds, and one PKT round.

They also found a Tecno mobile phone and various charms, he added.

This operation follows other recent encounters with suspected kidnappers and bandits in Katsina-Ala and other parts of Benue.

On August 19, troops from Operation Whirl Stroke disrupted a kidnappers' roadblock along the Jortar-Atume route in Katsina-Ala, killing a suspected bandit known as “Cool Nigga” and seizing a motorcycle.

On the same day, they arrested two suspected kidnappers, Terhile Iyo, 44, and Vershima Emmanuel, 32, in Gou Village, Logo Local Government Area.

From them, the troops recovered a locally made pistol, ammunition, mobile phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, SIM cards, and charms.

These latest actions come as security concerns continue in parts of Benue, especially in the Sankera axis, where communities have faced repeated attacks, killings, and displacements.

The task force is urging residents to stay alert and share credible information with security agencies about suspected criminal activities.

Mr Zubairu assured that Operation Whirl Stroke would keep up regular patrols and intelligence-driven operations to disrupt criminal networks and protect residents.