….arrest some criminal elements during operation
By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the killing of 2 militias suspected to be remnants of late Gana’s militia elements on identified hideout at Adu, general area of Chanchanji council ward, Takum Local Government Area, Taraba state.
The criminal elements met their Waterloo after a fierce fire fight between the troops of Sector 2 deployed at Gbise in Katsina Ala LGA of Benue in conjunction with that of Sector 4 during a dawn raid operation on the criminals following the actionable intelligence on the possible hideout of the remnants of the elements.
Report say, troops recovered 2 locally made pistols from the bandits.
Maj. Gen. John Enenche, Co-ordinator Defence Media Operations, DHQ disclosed this to Enugu Reporters on Tuesday.
Gen. Enenche also confirmed that, the troops had also arrested about four criminal elements during its operations.
Items recovered from them were 16 handsets as well as charms, including substances suspected to be India hemp.
“In the course of the operation, troops had contact with the armed militias who fired at troops as they closed in on their position.
“The gallant troops swiftly responded with superior fire forcing the bandits to flee the camp in disarray into the surrounding forest.
“In the course of the encounter, 2 armed militias were neutralized.
“Thereafter, troops carried out another raid operation on another identified armed bandits hideout at Chanchanji in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State and Sai in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue State during which 3 suspects namely; Saalu Igbua Terlumun, Benjamin Valentine and Milton Gbegi were arrested at Sai while Isaac Hilega aka Bawasa and Godwin Terwase were arrested at Chanchanji .”
The statement further said, all the suspects were currently undergoing preliminary investigation after which they will be handed over to the police for further action.
The DMO Co-ordinator further said, the troops of Sector 1 on 14 September 2020, following credible intelligence on the presence of some suspected armed herdsmen harbouring in the forest boundary between Benue and Nasarawa States engaged the bandits at first light with many of them escaping with gun shot wounds.
Their camp was subsequently destroyed by the troops.
Gen. Enenche has however assured that the troops have dominated the area with fighting patrols to deter armed elements and deny them freedom of movement.
The Military High Command have since congratulated the gallant troops for the feats recorded and encouraged them to sustain the onslaught against the criminal elements.
