Bandits bow to superior firepower of soldiers in Benue

Some of the bandits operating in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State have been shot dead.

At least four of the bandits were killed by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), a special task force outfit in Benue.

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Confirming the incident, Chairman of Kastina-Ala LGA, Alfred Atera, told our correspondent that the leader of the bandits, one Terna Gide, had threatened to attack villages within the vicinity were his men were killed.

Atera said, “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.”

Also, a military source who declined his name on print, told our correspondent that the men of OPWS carried out an exercise in the affected area and eliminated the four bandits.

The source said, “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.”