Troops Neutralize Bandits, Destroy Camps in Benue State

Troops of the 401 Special Forces Brigade/ Sector 1 Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, in collaboration with local hunters, have conducted a clearance operation around the Tatyough area of Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations 401 Special Forces Brigade/ Sector 1 OPWS Captain Abdullahi Lawal Osabo,in a statement  said the troops came across suspected bandits during one of their escorts of bereaved family members to Tse-Ayele village for a burial.

According to the statement, as troops advanced through Tse-Akaajime village, they encountered armed bandits and neutralized one while others fled in disarray, abandoning their possessions 

Items recovered from the scene include two Tecno mobile phones and three motorcycles, suspected to have been used in coordinating criminal activities.

He said troops also destroyed and set ablaze all identified bandit camps in the area, effectively denying the criminals the ability to regroup or reestablish their presence.

According to him, troops deployed at Tatyough have continued to conduct aggressive foot and perimeter patrols, maintaining a strong security posture and reassuring residents of their safety.

Commending the troops, the Acting Commander 401 Special Forces Brigade and Sector 1 OPWS, Colonel KO Bukoye, urged them to remain vigilant and sustain the operational momentum in the collective effort to rid Benue State of criminal elements.

Several hotspots were cleared—Mdoor, Anter, Tse-Gegu, Tse-Akaajime, Tse-Agam, and Ndor villages—culminating in a firefight at Tse-Akaajime where one bandit was killed and others fled with injuries. 

Major General Moses Gara, Force Commander of OPWS, commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism. He praised community members for their vital support, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between civilians and security forces to curb rural violence and boost food security.