We lost two soldiers, one NSCDC official to armed herders —Army commander

FORCE Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Sunday Igbinowanhia, has said that two soldiers and an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) lost their lives during attacks on some communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Thursday.

Igbinowanhia said that the security officers engaged the invading armed herders in a gun duel for three hours before the herders were finally repelled.

The Force Commander said two other soldiers got injured in the attack and are currently receiving treatment at the Nigerian Air Force hospital in Makurdi, the state capital.

According to the statement issued and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Saturday, the Force Commander said that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke deployed at Akwu in Agatu Local Government Area of the state were alarmed with the presence of people fleeing from Okokolo community in the same LGA.

General Igbinowanhia stated that the troops engaged the armed herders in a gun duel that lasted for three hours and successfully repelled the attackers, who might have lost many people in their fold.

According to him, “On inquiry, the troops were informed that terrorists suspected to be armed herdsmen were advancing towards the town to attack it. The troops immediately mobilised and proceeded to the community, which is about 15 km from their base.

“On arrival, the troops encountered the bandits carrying out attack on the community and subsequently engaged the criminals in a gun duel that lasted for three hours.

“The attack was successfully repelled as the terrorists withdrew in disarray, while evacuating their dead and wounded gang members.

“The success achieved was, however, at a huge cost with three of the troops paying the supreme sacrifice to prevent the killing of the inhabitants of Okokolo and the intended sacking of the community.

“In addition to the death of the two soldiers and one NSCDC personnel, two other soldiers were wounded and immediately evacuated to the Nigerian Air Force hospital in Makurdi,” the statement read.

The Force Commander commended the troops and encouraged them to put the set back of the loss of their colleagues behind and remain focus on the mission of ridding the Joint Operations Area of the Force of all criminality.

He used the opportunity to intimate the troops of the support of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the conduct of their operations, just as he said a speedy recovery of the wounded soldiers taken to the hospital as a result of the incidence will be prioritised.

The Force Commander assured the governor of the commitment of the troops to carry out the mandate and mission of the force as aptly directed by the CDS for the security of life and properties in the Force Joint Operations Area.

He noted that further operations are already on to track the assailants to their hideout.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

FULL LIST: 45 visa-free countries Nigerian passport can travel in 2024

Nigeria sits behind Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Morocco, Benin Republic and Namibia which are at…

How my brother and I became professor same day in same varsity —UNILORIN don

Recently, two brothers –Ahmed Oloduowo Ameen and Mubarak Oloduowo Ameen– were promoted to…

‘I expected N2,000 as my share from sale of human head we got at Saki cemetery’

Thirty-two-year-old Alli and Abdullahi, aged 35, who were the two suspects arrested by…

Why Port Harcourt refinery is yet to start production—Soneye, NNPCL Chief Comm Officer

Mr Femi Soneye is the Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCCO) of the…

Fear women, fair women and Minister Ojo

Betta Edu, Sadiya Umar-Farouq and Halima Shehu are the reigning women in our…

What you should know about players in Nigerian 2024 AFCON team

The Nigerian football team have appeared in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on twenty different occasions. Nigeria has…