Troops avert fresh communal clash in Benue
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have averted what could have been another bloody communal clash between Ugambe community in Konshisha Local Government Area and Mbaiase community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State. A statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, on Friday, said […]
FILE PHOTO. Nigerian soldiers
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have averted what could have been another bloody communal clash between Ugambe community in Konshisha Local Government Area and Mbaiase community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
A statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, on Friday, said that the troops swiftly responded to a distress call on October 8, 2025, following reports of renewed hostilities between the two neighbouring communities.
Zubairu said on arrival at the scene, the troops came under sporadic gunfire from armed elements dressed in black, but the outlaws fled into nearby bushes after the soldiers engaged them with superior firepower.
He disclosed that during a follow-up operation, the troops recovered one magazine, eight rounds of 7.62x39mm special ammunition, 12 rounds of 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition, 15 empty shells, and various charms believed to have been used by the fleeing attackers.
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The statement, however, noted that three civilians were reportedly killed, and one person injured before the troops arrived.
Zubairu added that the wounded victim was evacuated to the General Hospital, Aliade, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the hospital mortuary.
Meanwhile, the Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, commended the Sector 1 troops for their swift response and professionalism in restoring calm to the affected areas.
He urged them to sustain aggressive patrols to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Gara also appealed to community leaders and stakeholders from both sides to embrace dialogue and work together for lasting peace, assuring that Operation Whirl Stroke remains committed to restoring stability across its joint operations area.