Troops commended over handling of Benue attacks

From Uche Nnorom Makurdi

Benue State Government has lauded security agencies involved in Operation Whirl Stroke particularly troops of the armed forces for their effectiveness in curtailing the menace of killer herdsmen in the State.
The state government also observed with dismay the new tactics employed by some persons or groups particularly the Miyetti Allah to discourage the troops from the onerous task of protecting lives and property of Nigerians killed and displaced by these bandits through frivolous publications and interviews using print, electronic and online media.
Commissioner for Information of the State, Lawrence Onoja as well as a political commentator, Moses Aondongu who made these observations at separate briefings over the weekend in Makurdi, noted that these gallant troops should be commended, and not maligned as Miyetti Allah has chosen to do through falsehood and mischief.
Onoja said this no mean feat is being achieved at great expense with some of those involved paying the supreme sacrifice while others have suffered various degree.
“Our hearts go to these gallant patriots who have demonstrated unequaled commitment to providing security for their fatherland as well as the families who have lost their loved ones”, Onoja said. He averred that since the commencement of the military operation on May 18, 2018, the spate of attacks have been reduced with the invaders chased away in several communities enabling some of the displaced to return to their homes even though reduced to rubble and their means of livelihood completely destroyed
While urging Benue people with information and intelligence that would be useful in delivering the mandate of the operation to make them available, the State government task the troops not to relent in tracking, fishing out and coming heavily on camps of the militants as well as shoot and kill any cow used as shield.