BENUE – Saturday, 17 April 2021: Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke on Saturday killed five bandits and injured some during an aerial and land raid of their hideouts on the border between Benue and Nasarawa States.

It was gathered that the troops responded to a distress call from community leaders who gave information about the invasion of the community by bandits.

One source from the community disclosed that the bandits stormed the community and shot some persons dead and injured others.

“As soon as leaders in the community heard of the shooting, they contacted authorities who later sent the information to OPWS troops who swiftly went after the attackers.

“A few hours after, we sighted a helicopter hovering over our community as well as some soldiers in trucks moving into the forest where the attackers had earlier retreated to.

“About two hours later, we saw one of the trucks which conveyed five corpses of the bandits who had earlier attacked our community,” the source revealed.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene confirmed the attack on the village.

“Today 17/4/2021 at about 4.30am, information was received that gunmen invaded Anune, Naka Road, Makurdi. A team of Police officers have been deployed to the area to forestall further breakdown of law and order. Further information will be communicated to you please,” she said.