Troops foil bandit attack on Benue community

Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have thwarted a planned attack by suspected bandits on Anyagba village in Benue State, killing one assailant and recovering weapons during the operation.

The joint security team — comprising soldiers, Police Mobile Force personnel, and state-backed civil protection guards — received intelligence at about 4:00 p.m. about the movement of armed men heading toward the community.

Acting swiftly, the team mobilised to the Utange axis where the suspects were reportedly sighted.

On noticing the approaching security forces, the bandits opened fire, triggering a brief gun battle.

One of the suspects was shot during the exchange and later died while being taken for medical treatment.

His body was deposited at a morgue, while other members of the group fled into nearby bushes.

Recovered from the scene were an AK-47 rifle with breech number 22446, two magazines, three rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and several spent shells.

Security officials confirmed that no casualties were recorded among the joint forces.

Troops have since intensified combing operations in the surrounding area to track down the fleeing suspects.

In a related development, a patrol team conducting stop-and-search operations along the Katsina-Ala axis recovered a locally made pistol and a cartridge from a bag abandoned by a fleeing suspect.

The military urged residents to remain vigilant and continue sharing timely information with security agencies to help prevent attacks and enhance community safety across the state.