Operation Whirl Stroke: Troops Annihilate 36 Killer Herdsmen in Shootout in Benue; In 4-Pronged Clearance March.

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) operating in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states while conducting a four pronged clearance operations at the weekend, killed 36 killer herdsmen in several shootout and arrest 8 others with deadly weapons.  

Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim who gave detail of the clearance operation in Abuja said, “A clearance operation across Gwer West, Logo and Guma LGA’s of Benue State was conducted during the weekend.  

“Troops made contact with heavily armed herdsmen around lower Benue and a militia camp at Chetarer village.  

“The troops engaged the militia and followed the pursuit with Mi-35 Helicopter of the air component. This led to a large member of them being neutralized. 

“In all 35 herdsmen were neutralized and a large number of them escaped with gunshot injuries.  

“However, one personnel was killed in action (KIA), 2 sustained slight injuries but have been treated and discharged. One personnel is still missing in action. 

 “At Umaisha and Toto Villages troops ambushed the militia following a tip off of a planned attack on the two villages.  

“During the ensuing melee 1 G3 rifle, 193 units 17.62 mm NATO, 81 G3 rifle and ammunition, a locally made pistol and 1 FN magazine filled with rounds were recovered and 1 militia was killed.  

“In another development, one Abdullahi Adamu, suspected herdsman at Rukubi in Doma LGA of Nasarawa state was arrested in possession of an ID card of the vigilante group of Nigeria, Nasarawa state command and a photograph in which he posed with an AK47 rifle.  

“The suspect is still under interrogation and will be handed over to the police for prosecution after preliminary investigation. 

“Also, OPWS in Nasarawa State led to the arrest of one Musa Habu aged 32 years at Kolo close to Umiasha Toto Local Government Council.  

Items recovered from the suspect include I locally made pistol, 2 cartridges, 1 Techno phone and hundred and thirty naira only.  

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspected is linked with some suspected militia in the locality.  

The suspect has been handed over to the DSS for further necessary action. 

END