Defence Headquarters, Abuja , has said armed herdsmen attacked the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in the Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State , killing two soldiers and injuring five others, including the Commanding Officer .
The DHQ on Wednesday said the troops, however, remained undaunted as they had arrested 21 militias in Nasarawa and 13 others in Benue .
The military said the herdsmen carried out the attacks last Tuesday, but the troops were able to recover weapons including one AK - 47 rifle, two locally - made guns and 800 rounds of 7 . 62mm special ammunition .
Operation Whirl Stroke was established on June 8 by the military to restore peace and security in Benue , Nasarawa , Taraba, and Zamfara States that are witnessing herdsmen ’ s crises .
The acting Director of Defence Information , Brig - Gen . John Agim , stated this at a briefing to review the activities and achievements of the operation .
Agim said , “ Some troops of the Operation Whirl Stroke carried out a cordon and search operation at a suspected herdsmen militia camp at the Bakin Kota village in the Keana LGA of Nasarawa State on June 26, at 6 am . After the operation , the militia elements regrouped and attacked our team , killing two soldiers and injuring five personnel including the Officer Commanding .
“ Following this incident , some troops were mobilised for reinforcement. In the firefight that ensued , some of the militia sustained injuries . Our troops were able to destroy their camp.
“ The Chairman of the Nasarawa State branch of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria , Mohammed Hussein , later accused the military of killing six Fulani herdsmen and hundreds of cattle in the newspapers on June 28 . This is not true. The information is completely false and unfounded .
“ We want the people in these four states to go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation from any quarters . We have done this at a great cost to our personnel which includes some who died .
“ While the military is not in a hurry to link MACBAN to this militia, an investigation has begun to unravel those behind the death of our men . The military is ready to take down those who are responsible alongside their sponsors no matter how highly placed . ”
The military spokesperson said apart from the 34 suspects arrested in Benue and Nasarawa , 20 weapons were recovered.
“So far, the troops have arrested 21 suspects , recovered 20 weapons and 882 rounds of assorted ammunition in Nasarawa State.
Similarly , 13 suspects have been apprehended in Benue State . The Air Force component has flown a total of 54 sorties totalling 90 hours and 25 minutes , using the Mi - 35 helicopter gunship , the F- 7 Ni supersonic jet , and the Mi - 35M , ” Agim noted.
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