Nigerian troops apprehend 16 migrant bandits, eliminate scores in Benue, Nasarawa

The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States arrested sixteen migrant bandits from the Niger Republic.

It also said the bandits were arrested in different operations across the North Central region of the country.

Bernard Onyeuko, the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-General, made this known while providing an update on military operations across Nigeria between December 9 and 23 in Abuja.

Onyeuko explained that troops executed different operations at Tine-Nune village in Mbatin Council Ward and Tse Yorbee town in Ukum Local Government Area, Ojapo community and Edumoga forest in Okpokwu Local Government Area and along Makurdi–Kula road in Benue.

According to him, other operations were executed at Ugya forest in Toto LGA of Nasarawa during the period with commendable results.

The General said twelve criminals were neutralized, while 26 criminal elements, including sixteen migrant bandits from the Niger Republic, were arrested.

He further said sixteen different types of arms and 61 different calibres of ammunition were recovered, while thirteen kidnapped civilians were rescued during the operations.

Under Operation Safe Haven, Onyeuko disclosed that troops successfully repelled bandits’ attacks and arrested child traffickers, cattle rustlers, kidnappers, as well as bandits and robbers in parts of Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna States.

He added, “Other locations were; Boto area in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi state; Gidan Waya town and Angwan Magaji village in Jama’a local government area of Kaduna state.

“In addition, troops within the period held peace and security meetings with critical stakeholders as non-kinetic means of tackling insecurity.

“Some of these meetings were held at; the Force Headquarters of Operation WHIRL STROKE in Makurdi and Lau LGA in Taraba.

“Issues discussed at the meeting centred on how to find lasting solutions to the security challenges in the North Central Zone.”

Under Operation Thunder Strike/Whirl Punch, troops killed four bandits, arrested 6 criminals as well as recovered assorted arms and ammunition in Niger State during the period.