x

Six killed, 3 soldier injured as troops engage gunmen in Benue community

Three soldiers have been wounded and six villagers killed by armed invaders in a fresh attack on Ikobi community in Apa LGA of Benue State.

Sources earlier told our correspondent in Makurdi that a soldier was killed and two of his colleagues were seriously injured after an encounter with gunmen who invaded the rural community at the weekend.

But the military confirmed that three soldiers were wounded in the encounter with bandits.

One of the locals said that soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) stationed at Agagbe responded to a distress call and that during the process they encountered the bandits at Tse-Abwa in Gwer West LGA

The lawmaker representing Apa State Constituency, Abu Umoru, confirmed the killings to our correspondent through telephone.

Umoru said, “It’s a confirmed story; people suspected to be herders invaded the Ikobi community and so far six lives have been lost within the past four days. They could be more. We had to put a call to OPWS, and the commander has mobilised soldiers to the community.

“People have fled their homes, so we can’t even know the exact number of casualties for now.”

Meanwhile, the police spokesperson in the state, SP Catherine Anene, said she did not have the information.

But, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) spokesperson, Flight Lieutenant Katty Audu, in a statement, confirmed the attack on Ikobi community and said three soldiers were wounded in the encounter with the armed herders.

He said, “Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke received information about an attack on Ikobi community on the 4th of February, 2023, at about 5pm and responded immediately. The gallant troops moved to the area and cleared the community. The rampaging armed herders fled towards Nasarawa State on sighting the troops.

“The situation, though dicey, has been stabilised. The operation continued the next day, 5th February, 2023, in adjoining communities. While the troops were moving towards Agagbe, they had contact with some bandits.

“The bandits fired at the troops and our troops engaged them with superior firepower that lasted for about 30 minutes. Three of our troops sustained various degrees of injury. The injured troops are currently receiving treatment.”

Hot this week

Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway to Boost Trade, Regional Integration

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway project, a major...

CSGGG Hails Rivers Sole Administrator’s Leadership

…Says Peace Brokered, Trust Restored…Lauds Transformative Governance, Credits Tinubu’s...

NCPC To Commence 2025 Easter Pilgrimage Exercise To Israel, Jordan

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, is...

Kano Gov Moves to Empower 44 LGAs with Full Autonomy

By Jabiru Hassan Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf,...

A’Ibom Commissioner seeks royal support for voter registration, Gov Eno’s Arise Project

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo Traditional leaders in Akwa Ibom have been...

Prof. Usman Ogbo Moves to Curb Rumoured Protest Over Fee Hike in Kogi Poly

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The management of Kogi State Polytechnic,...

New Green Empowerment Initiative Visits Sokoto Education Ministry

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The New Green Empowerment Initiative (NGEI)...

Sokoto Partners Livestock Insurance Firms to Boost Cattle Production

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The Sokoto State Livestock Productivity and...

China Inaugurates 14th ‘Chinese Corner’ in Abuja

By Francis Wilfred The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has inaugurated...

Gov Sule Hands Over Headquarters Complex to North Central Development Commission in Lafia

By Israel Adamu, Jos Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule,...

Kogi Govt Vows to Clamp Down on Youth Aiding Bandits

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The Kogi State Government has warned...

8th Zenith Bank/Delta Principals’ Cup Kicks Off September 18

By Anne Azuka The 8th edition of the Zenith Bank/Delta...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img