Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, have neutralised three bandits in Chito, a community near Zaki-Biam, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.
The bandits under the leadership of “Full Fire”, the second in command to the late Terwase Akwaza a.k.a Gana, are chief among bandits that have been terrorising the Sankera axis.
A source, Terhile Zayol, explained that even though OPWS were able to neutralise three of the bandits; “Full Fire”, one of Gana’s henchmen managed to escape.
He also noted that during the clearance operation, OPWS recovered an undisclosed number of weapons, two motorcycles and three mobile phones.
Efforts to get the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of OPWS, Flying Officer Audu Katty, to confirm the report proved abortive as he was not picking calls made to his phone.
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However, the Next Edition gathered that the troops under the command of the Force Commander, Major General Kevin Aligbe also flushed out herdsmen that have been terrorising Gbishe in Katsina-Ala LGA and its environs.
According to Zayol, “At about 10pm on Tuesday, following credible intelligence from some people on the robbery activities of a notorious bandit, by name Full Fire and his members at Chito in Zaki-Biam, troops of OPWS deployed in Zaki-Biam, Ukum conducted a clearance patrol at Chito general area.
“On sighting the troops, the bandits fled. Troops of OPWS engaged them in hot pursuit and were able to neutralise three of the bandits.
“The troops also combed and searched the area and recovered some items including fire arms, 2 motorcycle and 3 mobile phones.”
He further observed that, “The troops deployed at Gbise in Katsina-Ala also carried out offensive fighting patrol at Atunbe, Madamu, Kaamen, Ude -Jor, Kasar, Tor – Tacha and River Yoyo in Utange and Yoyo council wards of Katsina-Ala LGA, to flush out armed herdsmen terrorizing the area.
“During the patrol, OPWS troops made contact with the herdsmen at Tor – Tacha and but the troops responded with superior fire power forcing the herdsmen to flee with possible gunshot wounds.
“We further learnt that the troops conducted a search around the area and recovered fire arms and cutlasses.”
However, a top ranking officer in the military outfits who doesn’t want to be named said, “We shall continue to go after any person or group of persons destroying innocent lives and property while working tirelessly to ensure that peace is returned to various communities across the Joint Operations Area.
He further noted that the troops of OPWS, with operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba, states will continued to demonstrate professionalism, resilience and courage in conduct of their duties.
