Nigerian army repels armed men in Benue
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Soldiers from Nigeria’s Operation Whirl Stroke repelled armed men suspected of being herders in Guma, Benue State, without suffering losses. They recovered two AK-47 rifles, magazines, eight calves and other items during the operation, the joint force’s spokesperson said, cited by Punch.
The Nigerian army repelled armed men suspected of being herders in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The soldiers recovered two AK-47 rifles and several other items, according to a statement by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, acting information spokesperson for Operation Whirl Stroke, cited by Punch.
The troops came under fire when they arrived at the scene, then forced the group to flee. No soldiers were injured, according to the statement. The armed men are believed to have come from neighbouring Nasarawa State, based on intelligence that led to the operation.
The soldiers also recovered four empty magazines, eight calves, three phones, a national identity document in the name of Umar Yusuf and 20 naira. Major General Moses Gara, commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, praised the troops’ response and called on them to strengthen their cooperation with local communities.
The intervention is part of a series of Nigerian army operations. On 21 October, it announced the arrest of a suspected pipeline saboteur in Benue, and on 25 October, the release of three people abducted in Kebbi. On 27 October, it also reported the deaths of eight suspects and the release of three hostages during another operation, according to the information on the freed hostages.
