Bandits’ leader threatening reprisal, Benue LG chair raises alarm

Bandits operating in Kastina-Ala LGA of Benue State have threatened to unleash terror on villages in the environs following the killing of four of their members by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).

The Chairman of Kastina-Ala LGC, Alfred Atera, who raised the alarm yesterday, told our correspondent on phone that the leader of the bandits, one Terna Gide, issued the threat to the villages.

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The soldiers of OPWS in their ongoing clearance operations in the area on Tuesday were said to have killed four bandits in a gun duel.

Atera said, “Yes, following an attack on Tse-Keji camp on Tuesday by the men of OPWS during which four of the bandits were eliminated, their camp destroyed and charms packed, Terna Gide is threatening to take reprisal.

“As of this morning (Wednesday), he (Terna) called and issued lots of threats 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 told our correspondent that the men of OPWS carried out an exercise in the affected area and eliminated the four bandits.

The source said, “On Tuesday, our troops stationed in Gbise under Kastina-Ala were doing their normal clearance tour until they came across bandits at Tse-Keji, and there was an exchange of fire but our troops overpowered them.

“So, the 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.”