Army Destroys Armed Militia Camp, Recovers Weapons In Benue

By Dafe Rukevwe

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE made up of Sector 2 deployed at Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Area of Benue State and those of Sector 4 drawn from parts of Taraba State at about 0430hrs on 22, April 2020 carried out a special raid operation on a suspected militia camp located at Anku Mbagen in Atera-Jange Torov Council Ward of Ukum LGA of Benue state recovering a large cache of arms, ammunition and other items.

The operation, the Nigerian military said through its Twitter handle @DefenceInfoNG, was sequel to timely and credible information received on the activities of Tiv armed militia operating around the border areas of Benue and Taraba states.

The statement added: “The armed militia on sighting the troops opened a barrage of fire on own troops while the Special Forces troops responded swiftly and neutralized three gang members prompting others to abandon their position and weapons fleeing into the bush with gunshot wounds.”

Items recovered include one 81mm Mortar gun, five 60mm Commando Mortar gun, Seven locally fabricated Mortar tubes guns, three SMG rifles, three Double Barrel rifles, two locally-made rifles, one G3 rifle, one locally made pistol, five AK 47 magazines, 166 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

Other weapons recovered are one car battery, fifteen rounds of locally made ammunition, two bags of gun powder, nine pairs of camouflage uniforms, one generator, three motorcycles, one cellular handset, charms and assorted hard drugs.

“There was no casualty on own troops,” the statement said.

Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, restated the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to restoring peace in all parts of the country, while requesting the general public for credible information which will assist the military to rid the country of criminal elements.