Troops repel attack in Benue, kill four bandits, recover AK-47

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.

Troops repel attack in Benue, kill four bandits, recover AK-47