Army combs Benue, Nassarawa, Taraba for militia, recovers weapons

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam Abuja

The Nigerian Army said troop of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) operating in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states at the weekend ambushed militia at Umaisha and Toto Villages.
The Army said the response came following a tipoff of a planned attack on the two villages, saying it recovered 1 x G3 rifle, 193 x 17.62 mm NATO, 81xG3 rifle ammunition, a locally made pistol and 1 FN magazine filled with round.
A statement issued yesterday by John Agim, acting Director Defence Information said the incident led to the dead of 1 militia.
It said in continuation of the clearance, one Adamu Abdullahi, a suspected herdsman at Rukubi in Doma LGA of Nasarawa State was arrested in possession of an ID card of the vigilante group of Nigeria, Nasarawa state command and a photograph in which he posed with an AK47 rifle.
“The suspect is still under interrogation and will be handed over to the police for prosecution after preliminary investigation.”
The statement added that across Gwer West, Logo and Guma LGA’s of Benue State, the troop made contact with heavily armed herdsmen around lower Benue and a militia camp at Chetarer village.
“The troops engaged the militia and followed the pursuit with M135 Helicopter of their air component. This led to a large member of them being neutralized. In all, 35 herdsmen were neutralized and a large number of them escaped with gunshot injuries. However, a soldier was killed in action (KIA), 2 sustained slight injuries but have been treated and discharged. Also, 1 soldier is still missing in action.
“Furthermore, OPWS in Nasarawa State arrested one Musa Habu (aged 32 years) at Kolo close to Umiasha in Toto Local Government Council.
Items recovered from the suspect include; 1 locally made pistol, 2 x cartridges, 1 Techno phone and hundred and thirty naira only.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is linked with some suspected militia in that locality. He has been handed over to the DSS for further necessary action.
“In the same vein, troops of OPWS sector 3 Taraba, on patrol through Kwesati, Manya-Garagun axis made contact with 8 bandits who were arrested and were armed with 2 AK47 rifle, 1 x K2 rifle and 2 x locally made gun. Ammunitions recovered from them include 56 rounds of 7.6mm, 25 rounds of k2, 3x cartridge, charms, phones amongst other items. Suspects and items are to be handed over to DSS for further investigation.”