In Benue State, troops of the 401 Special Forces Brigade under Sector 1 of Operation Whirl Stroke, working alongside local hunters, have carried out a successful clearance operation in the Tatough general area of Makurdi Local Government.
According to a statement from the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Abdullahi Lawal Osabo, the operation included a fighting patrol and an escort mission for bereaved family members heading to Tse-Ayele village for a burial.
During the patrol, troops moved through key locations including Mdoor, Anter, Tse-Gegu, Tse-Akaajime, Tse-Agam, and Ndor villages. At Tse-Akaajime, they encountered armed bandits. In the gun battle that followed, one bandit was neutralized while others fled, abandoning their positions.
Troops recovered two Tecno mobile phones and three motorcycles believed to have been used by the criminals. All identified bandit camps in the area were destroyed to prevent further regrouping.
In a related development, troops stationed at Tatough continue to carry out aggressive patrols to maintain security and reassure the local population.
The Acting Commander of 401 Special Forces Brigade and Sector 1 OPWS, Colonel K.O. Bukoye, commended the troops for their bravery and professionalism, urging them to stay alert and maintain the momentum in the fight against criminal elements in Benue State.