Troops recover arms from fleeing assailants in Benue

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have recovered a cache of arms and ammunition abandoned by fleeing armed herders suspected of destroying farmlands in Tse Adudu, in the Sankara axis of Benue State. Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, in a statement on Sunday, said the clearance operation followed credible intelligence reports […]

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have recovered a cache of arms and ammunition abandoned by fleeing armed herders suspected of destroying farmlands in Tse Adudu, in the Sankara axis of Benue State.

Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, in a statement on Sunday, said the clearance operation followed credible intelligence reports of illegal grazing activities threatening farmers’ safety and livelihoods.

Zubairu said that upon arrival at the farm settlement, the troops found unattended cows, while the herders fled into nearby bushes upon hearing the sound of advancing soldiers.

“Acting on credible and timely intelligence, the troops stormed the settlement after reports of illegal grazing and crop destruction. On sighting the soldiers, the herders abandoned their cows and escaped,” he said.

A search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, all hidden in a blanket inside a makeshift hut.

Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their gallantry and praised the citizens for providing actionable intelligence.

He reaffirmed OPWS’s commitment to restoring peace, promoting food security, and reviving socio-economic activities in Benue.