Bandits in Benue State have been killed by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), a special task force outfit.
The bandits were killed while they were operating in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.
Chairman of Kastina-Ala LGA, Alfred Atera who confirmed death of the bandits, told Daily Trust that leader of the armed group, one Terna Gide, had threatened to attack villages within the vicinity where his men were killed.
“Following attack on Tse-Keji camp yesterday (Tuesday) by the men of OPWS during which four of the bandits were eliminated, their camp was destroyed and charms were packed, Terna Gide is threatening to take reprisal.
“As of this morning (Wednesday), he (Terna) called and issued lots of threat that he is going to do more than what was destroyed in his camp. He called one of the volunteer guards telephone number to issue the threat.”
A military source also confirmed that the men of OPWS carried out an exercise in the affected area and eliminated four bandits.
“Yesterday (Tuesday), our troop stationed in Gbise under Kastina-Ala were doing their normal clearance tour until they came across bandits at Tse – Keji, there was exchange of fire but our troops overpowered them.
“So, the armed bandits fled into the bush in disarray but our troops gave them a hot pursuit and four bandits were neutralised. A search was conducted in the general area and troops burnt down their camp.
“We were able to recover the following items belonging to the bandits; 9 rounds of 7.6mm special, one barrel of dane gun, two motorcycles, handsets, bags of Indian hemps and the sum and of N57,390 and large assorted charms. The remnants are on the run but we are on top of our game.”
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