No fewer than 35 well armed herdsmen were killed by the Nigerian troops in continuation of its Operation Whirl Stroke designed to rid the North Central area of the country of bandits and other criminals.
The encounters which led to the killing of the herdsmen were at Gwer, Logo and Guma local government areas of Benue State.
According to the Director, Defence Information (DDI), Brig.-Gen. John Agim, the herdsmen were killed on Saturday by the air force’s Mi-35 attack helicopter.
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However, the troops reported that one soldier was killed and another one missing in the battle.
His words: “In the clearance operation across the Gwer West, Logo and the Guma LGAs of Benue, troops made contact with heavily armed herdsmen around the lower Benue area and a militia camp at Chetarer village.
“The troops engaged the militia and followed the pursuit with Mi-35 helicopter of the air component.
“This led to a large number of them being neutralised. In all, 35 herdsmen were neutralised and a large number of them escaped with gunshot injuries. However, a soldier was killed in action, two sustained slight injuries. They have been treated and discharged. Also, one soldier is still missing in action.
“Troops of the Operation Whirl Stroke operating in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states conducted four clearance operations during the weekend. At Umaisha and Toto villages of Nasarawa, troops ambushed the militia and killed one. A suspected herdsman, Adamu Abdullahi, in Rukubi in the Doma LGA of Nasarawa state was arrested.
“Still in Nasarawa State, we arrested one Musa Habu, 32, who is linked with some militiamen. He has been handed over to the Department of State Services for further necessary action.”
