Soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have repelled bandits in the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State and recovered assorted weapons in a bid to strengthen the confidence of locals in security agencies.
Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that the operation was carried out between September 26 and 28, following credible intelligence reports of armed groups mobilising in Agurugu and Igyudu villages of Katsina-Ala LGA.
He stated that troops engaged the criminals at Sheekan village, forcing them to flee and abandoning weapons, ammunition, and mobile phones.
Zubairu listed the items recovered to include one automatic pistol, two AK-47 magazines, 33 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 15 rounds of 5.56 x 45mm, three 9mm rounds, 29 mobile phones, and other military hardware. He further stated that in a separate operation at Igyudu village, the soldiers seized a single-barrel gun, three rounds of 7.62mm NATO, two AK-47 magazines, one G3 magazine, a hand grenade, a tear gas canister, medical kits, and an Itel phone.
Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops’ gallantry, describing the success as evidence of the effectiveness of ongoing counter-banditry strategies.
He assured residents of their safety and urged communities to continue providing timely intelligence, reaffirming the Force’s resolve to restore lasting peace in Benue and adjoining states.
Gara noted that the resilience and professionalism of the troops had continued to yield tangible results, adding that the Nigerian Army and sister security agencies would not relent until criminal elements were completely flushed out.