Gunmen defy Benue curfew, kill policeman, raze houses punchng.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from punchng.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
It was also learnt that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with the Police, killed one of the suspected bandits in a swift counter-response to the attack during which they recovered over 200 rounds of ammunition.
A resident of the area told our correspondent by telephone that the armed bandits stormed the area in their numbers early in the morning and began to unleash terror on the people, adding however that the soldiers arrived at the scene on time to chase the bandits away.
The residents, who also confirmed that a police station and many houses were set ablaze, said he could not immediately ascertain the number of people killed.
A police officer has been killed and several houses including a police station were razed, after armed bandits stormed Tse Harga community of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue State.
Locals told our correspondent in Makurdi on Tuesday night that most of the suburbs in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of the state had become deserted as inhabitants have relocated to Makurdi, the state capital and other safe areas.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) had, in recent times, dealt with criminals in the area while alleging that they were also arresting people indiscriminately.
The resident said he had relocated with his family, just like many others, to Makurdi for fear of being caught in the web.
Another residents, who also didn’t want his name on print, said though the soldiers had targeted the criminals, it was worrisome that the bandits were divided on parallel lines, fighting each other and making life unbearable for the rural dwellers.
Benue communal crisis: Troops arrest 10 suspects, recover 16 weapons, ammunition Benue communal crisis: Troops arrest 10 suspects, recover 16 weapons, ammunition
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Arrested criminals in the troubled Ibilla and Ukpa communities in Benue State
Ten people have been arrested by security operatives in connection with the communal crisis in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
Sixteen riffles and several ammunitions were recovered at the troubled Ibilla and Ukpa communities in Oju council area.
A local source in the communities said that a combined team of security operatives led by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have stormed the two communities on a search operation.