[Mhiz Rebecca]

The Nigeria Army of the Operation Whirl Stroke, have
neutralized 10 armed herdsmen along Gbajimba-Akor-
Tomata axis of Guma Local Government area of Benue,
the commander of the operation, Major General
Adeyemi Yekini (OPWS), made this known.
The commander also disclosed that about two soldier
were injured, while one lost his life in an encounter
with the herders who engaged the troop in a gun
battle.
Gen. Yekini, while speaking to newsmen, said that the
number of casualties among the herdsmen during the
initial encounter could not be ascertained, noted that
while the fighting was going on a Mi35 helicopter that
was scrambled to provide air support for the troops
sighted the armed herdsmen on motorcycles.
“During the firefight, the Mi35 spotted a group of about 20
armed herdsmen riding on motorcycles moving along the
axis towards Nasarawa State.
15 of the armed herdsmen on five motorcycles were
neutralized with rocket fire from the Mi35 while others
escaped with various degrees of injury.
“Our troops chased remaining herdsmen until contact was
broken close to the boundary between Nasarawa and Benue
State.
Plans are in progress to conduct further clearance
operations of the border areas between the two states,”
Yekini said.
The Nation reports that the General Yekini, while
adding that another operation was carried out last
Saturday in Katsina Ala area which suggested that
Benue most wanted terrorist, Terwase Akwasa must
have been killed.
“The raid operation which took place at Tse Akwaza
camp belonging to Gana in Kastina-Ala commenced at
about 0500hours on 18th August, 2018 through
JatoAka-Kashimbila-Tyotsar axis but was suspended
due to bad terrain and damaged bridge at Tyotsar
which troops could not cross due to flooding.
“It was not clear if Gana was killed during the assault,
but trail of blood seen in the building suspected to be
where he slept suggests he might have been hit.
“A motor cycle usually used by Gana was also badly
damaged during the air strike, many sacks of
substance suspected to be Indian hemp were
recovered and burnt”, General Yekini said.