Troops of Joint Task Force “Operation Whirl Stroke” (OPWS) have killed one suspected bandit and recovered arms, ammunition and other items on the Gbise–Igyudu Road in Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue State.
A statement by the task force explained that troops of Sector 1, on 2nd September, while conducting a routine fighting patrol, encountered two suspected bandits on a motorcycle along the Gbise–Igyudu axis.
It said after a positive identification of the armed suspects, the troops engaged the suspects in a fierce exchange of fire.
The task force added that one suspected bandit was neutralised during the encounter, while the second fled the scene when subdued by superior firepower.
It added that the troops conducted a thorough search and clearance operation around the area to ensure that the fleeing suspect did not pose an immediate threat to the surrounding communities.
He listed items recovered during the operation to include one pistol, one pistol magazine, one AK-47 magazine, eight rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one 7.62mm NATO round, two 9mm rounds and one PKT round.
The troops also recovered a Tecno mobile phone and some assorted charms from the scene.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to cooperate with troops and other security and law enforcement agencies by providing timely and credible information on the activities and movements of suspected criminals.
According to him, such information remains critical to a swift and decisive response to emerging threats.
He assured that operation WHIRL STROKE will continue to dominate its operational areas through sustained patrols and other intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and denying them the opportunity to threaten the peace and security of law-abiding citizens.
