Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have thwarted multiple bandit attacks on communities in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, days after the killing of 11 security operatives in the council.
The Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, said in a statement on Tuesday that soldiers, between September 26 and 28, foiled attempts to raid Agurugu and Igyudu villages.
On September 26, troops deployed at Abaji reportedly acted on credible intelligence about the movement of armed men in Agurugu. “Unable to withstand the superior firepower of the gallant soldiers, the bandits fled in disarray,” Zubairu said.
Two days later, troops on patrol in Gbise engaged another group of bandits near Igyudu. The armed group again abandoned their positions and fled.
Recovered items from the operations included an automatic pistol, 33 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 15 rounds of 5.56mm, three 9mm rounds, AK-47 magazines, a G3 magazine, a single-barrel gun, a hand grenade, a tear gas canister, medical kits, and 29 mobile phones.
OPWS Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism, assuring residents of Katsina-Ala and surrounding communities of their safety.
“Our troops have shown resilience and determination, and we will not relent until these areas are completely secured,” Gara said, while urging locals to continue providing timely intelligence to aid ongoing operations.
