Bandits suspected to be loyal to the late Benue militia gang leader, Terwase Akwaza aka Gana, have threatened to unleash terror on community members in Katsina Ala local government area of Benue State.
The threat came barely 24 hours after troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, killed four of their gang members at Tse Geja area of Katsina Ala.
Competent military source who does not want to be named also confirmed that the troops destroyed the camp of the bandits located around Vingir in Katsina Ala and recovered their charm and ammunition.
The source explained that the bandits engaged the troops of OPWS in gun battle but later ran away when they were over powered due to superior firearms.
Speaking to journalists on the phone, on Wednesday, the military source said, “Yesterday (Tuesday) our troop stationed in Gbise under Katsina-Ala were doing their normal clearance tour until they came across bandits at Tse – Gena. There was exchange of fire but our troops overpowered them.
“So, the armed bandits fled into the bush in disarray but our troops gave them a hot pursuit and four bandits were neutralised. A search was conducted in their general area and troops burnt down their camp.
“We were able to recover following items belonging to the bandits; 9 rounds of 7.6mm special, one barrel of Dane gun, two motorcycles, handsets, bags of Indian hemp and the sum of N57,390 and large assorted charms. The remnants are on the run but we are on top of our game.”
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Confirming the incident, Chairman of Katsina Ala local government area, Alfred Atera said that four bandits were killed by security operatives who carried out operation on the area.
According to Atera, “Yes, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke carried out operation at Tse Geja where the camp of the bandits was located and four of the bandits were killed.
“The camp was destroyed and charms were packed. Terna Gide is threatening to take reprisal. As of this morning, he called and issued lots of threats that he is going to do more than what was destroyed in his camp. He called one of the volunteer guards number to issue the threat.”
Our correspondent learnt that the people of the area which is known as Vingir are living in palpable fear of attack.
A native from the area said that some residents of the area have began to flee for fear of reprisal from the bandits.
The native recalled two attacks that the bandits unleashed on the same area late February and early March this year leading to death of 10 mourners and another five respectively.
“Those attacks on February 26 and March 2nd this year where 10 people were killed at a burial and another five few days after were, according to the bandits, reprisal to the killings of three of their men by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke,” the local said.
