Troops repel attack in Benue, kill four bandits, recover AK-47
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops in Benue have repelled an attack on its personnel at a checkpoint in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, killing four suspected armed bandits and recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.
Zagazola gathered that operatives of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force were on stop-and-search duty at the Otukpa/Orakam checkpoint at about 5:00 p.m. on Jan. 29 when they stopped a black Golf 3 car for a routine search.
“The occupants resisted the search, pulled out firearms and engaged the policemen in a shootout,” the source said.
During the exchange, four of the bandits sustained fatal injuries. They were rushed to a hospital where they later died while receiving treatment. One suspect reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle with breech number 1960, 15 rounds of ammunition, a black Golf 3 vehicle with registration number KEF 909 ES, and assorted criminal charms.
The sources said efforts were ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspect.
