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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