Troops of ‘Operation Whirl Stroke’ (OPWS), has Killed two armed bandits after they engaged the suspects in fierce gun battle at Gyungwu Amua Village in Guma local government area of Benue State.
The troops also recovered one AK47 with 20 round of ammunitions.
This development is coming a few days after the same Troops arrested one local militia leader popularly known as Alhaji Audu from Olegeje community in Agatu local government area of Benue state.
The Next Edition correspondent gathered from one of the locals that armed herdsmen had stormed the village from Nasarawa state to launch an attack on the community when the troops were informed and decided to lay ambush for them.
Another source who gave his name as Hedejume Abur told Journalists on phone that the armed herdsmen numbering about seven, were sighted in Gyungwu Amua Village at about 7:30 p.m on Tuesday, planning to attack the village when a distress call was put across to the troops of OPWS.
“Immediately we sighted the armed herdsmen, we quickly alerted the troops who swiftly responded and went towards their direction to lay ambush for them.
“The armed herders unfortunately ran into the troops. Without waste of time, the herders opened fire on the troops and the troops responded with a superior firepower.
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“After heavy exchange of gun fire, the troops dislodged the armed herdsmen, killing two and injuring one of them.
“l saw their dead bodies because the army brought them back into the village with the AK 47 riffle and 20 round of ammunitions.
“I want to really commend OPWS troops in Benue State for the effort they are putting in place to ensure that the security situation in Guma local government area of the state is brought under control,” he said.
Another villager Terfa Unande who also spoke with our Journalists on phone, further disclosed that two members of the community were injured during the exchange of gunfire between the military troops and the armed bandits in the area.
According to him, while one person sustained severe injury, the second person got minor injury, adding that both of them are receiving treatment at a private hospital in the area.
Meanwhile, Commander of OPWS, Major General Adeyemi Yekini declined comments on the Guma attack saying journalists should contact Defense Headquarters Information Department.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, could not confirm the incident as she said she was yet to receive any report on it.
