Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation Whirl Stroke on Saturday stormed the camp of militiamen in Akor community, Guma local government area of Benue State.
Many of the militiamen were said to be killed by the troops.
Although the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, confirmed that a number of armed persons were killed, The Next Edition, could not independently ascertain the claim.
The troops were said to be on a clearance operation along Gbajimba to Akor area when they found the armed men with AK-47 rifles with large herds of cattle.
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They soon engaged the troops in battle, leading to the death of some of them (the armed men).
Some were said to have escaped with gunshot wounds.
Confirming the incident, Chukwu said: “Troops deployed in Operation Whirl Stroke in the Guma LGA encountered militiamen with large herds of cattle.
“The troops dislodged the militiamen from their camp following superior firepower. Unspecified numbers of the men were killed by the troops. Efforts are on to get other fleeing members of the militia.”
One AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 rifle magazines, 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and five motorcycles were said to have been recovered from the militiamen.
