A number of individuals, together with a soldier, have been reportedly killed in separate assaults by suspected bandits in Kwande and Apa Native Authorities Areas (LGAs) of Benue State over the weekend.
reporter learnt that the assaults occurred between Saturday and Sunday in Udedeku group of Maav-Ya, Mkoonmom District, Mbaikyor Council Ward, Turan Jato-Aka, and Ochumekwu in Kwande and Apa LGAs, respectively.
In accordance with native sources, the bandits invaded the Udedeku group in Kwande, the place a number of individuals have been reportedly killed.
Some locals are stated to be lacking for the time being.
Confirming the incidents, the Power Commander, Operations Whirl Stroke, Main Common Sunday Igbinomwanhia, acknowledged that suspected armed bandits attacked troopers deployed in Ochumekwu, Apa LGA, ensuing within the dying of 1 soldier and the harm of one other.
He stated, “Suspected armed bandits have attacked troopers deployed in Ochumekwu, Apa LGA, killed one personnel, and wounded one.
“The troops in response killed three and injured a number of of them. They recovered one AK-47 rifle and rounds of ammunition from them.”
Concerning the assault in Kwande, the OPWS Commander talked about that troops have been conducting a clearance operation to flush out suspected armed international bandits who invaded the LG.
In the meantime, the Police Public Relations Officer within the state, Catherine Anene, acknowledged the invasion of the forest in Kwande, however acknowledged she had not obtained studies of any killings.