Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) operating in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States has arrested suspected criminals in Benue recovering huge cash and a stolen vehicle.
The suspects which were arrested after troops engaged them in exchange of gun fire were a gang of criminals terrorising the people of Abako community in Katsina-ala local government area of the state.
The commander of the Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Adeyemi Yekini who disclosed this in Makurdi, said his troops went after the robbers after they received information from the locals that armed robbers invaded Abako community to rob and dispossess some people of their valuables including monies and Vehicles.
General Yekini explained that the armed robbers upon sighting the Troops, immediately opened fire and his men responded resulting to the arrest and recovery of huge cash and a stolen vehicle.
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“We received information that armed robbers invaded Abako town in Katsina Ala local government area of Benue state, near Takum in Taraba State, robbed some people particularly traders.
“We went after the robbers and after heavy gun battle, we overpowered the criminals, apprehended some of them and in the process recovered a vehicle they stole from one of their victims. We also recovered from them N150,000 cash with other dangerous weapons.
Yekini said the suspects and the items recovered from them have been handed over to the police for further necessary action.
He debunked the insinuation that his Troops went to arrest innocent people for no just reason in the areas, stressing that those who were arrested and probably sustained injuries as a result of their battle with the soldiers, were involved in armed robbery.
“It was a case of armed robbery not unnecessary arrests of people of Abako community as being speculated in some quarter. We have no problems with peace loving and innocent individuals who are not into crimes”, he said.
He warned criminal elements to stay clear of the states saying they are adequately prepared to deal decisively with anyone found committing crime particularly in this festive period.
