Bandits’ ambush troops in Benue

From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), were yesterday ambushed at Bonta, Konshisha local government area of Benue State.

The soldiers according to report from the area, were said to be on routine patrol in parts of Konshisha and Oju local government areas of the state on Monday afternoon when they came under severe armed bandits attack at about 5pm.

The troops are reportedly on the trail of the suspected armed bandits whom our correspondent gathered from sources in the area go by a gang name “Bonta Tivs”. They were said to have attacked the soldiers for destroying the illegal road blocks they had mounted.

According to a source who pleaded anonymity, the soldiers were on patrol around Bonta village when they were ambushed by some armed bandits, who saw the patrol troops coming and suddenly opened fire on them.

However, our source disclosed that OPWS troops quickly responded to a distress call and swiftly repelled the armed bandits as they could not withstand the higher fire power of the troops.

“When it happened, we immediately alerted members of Operation Whirl Stroke, who responded swiftly, but before their arrival, the gunmen fled. However, troops of the OPWS are already on the trail of the bandits. The source further hinted that the OPWS troops slept overnight in Konshisha and are continuing with the operation yesterday.

“I believe this was carried out probably to intimidate the military who are doing a great job in the state”, the source said.

When contacted, the OPWS force commander, Major General Adeyemi Yekini said he can’t comment on an ongoing operation and referred Journalists to the Information Department of the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.