Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) engaged in a fierce gun battle with suspected armed bandits at Abaji in Shitile axis of Katsina Ala local government area of Benue state.

The troops were said to have recovered one AK47 rifle and several ammunition during the encounter with the gunmen.

Benue state police confirmed the attack and disclosed that the bandits killed one person during the attack and while nine others were injured.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, revealed that “On 24/03/2021 at about 6:30pm while traders were closing from Abaji Market in Kastina-Ala Local Government area, bandits who disguised themselves as buyers started shooting sporadically and killed one person while nine others were injured.

“Joint operation of Police and other security agencies returned fire and repelled the bandits to the forest with gunshot injuries where they have been cordoned for search.

“Corpse of the deceased has been deposited at Primary Healthcare Center, Abaji while the  jured persons are receiving medical attention at the General Hospital, Kastina-Ala.

“More patrol teams were immediately drafted to the scene to assist officers on ground. Cordon and search operation is in progress.”

According to a source from Katsina Ala town who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that armed bandits invaded the Abaji market and opened fire on the people, and in the process, killed four traders before troops arrived to repel them.

He said “It was around 4pm to 5pm this evening when we suddenly heard gunshots in and around the Abaji market and people started running for their lives. Despite running, the bandits continued shooting and in the process, killed two persons.

“We quickly alerted OPWS troops and they responded immediately and came to repel the armed bandits. The army went after the armed gang and engaged them in a gun duel.

 “They were able to kill few of them because we saw two dead bodies in addition to the two persons earlier killed in the market place.”

He commended the effort of the soldiers and appealed to the Federal and State governments to deploy more security personnel to the area to address the increasing spate of insecurity in the Sankera axis.