Troops of Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation WHIRL STROKE, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, have foiled an attack by suspected armed herders on Azege Village in Tombo Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Media Information Officer of the Headquarters, JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, the incident occurred on August 10 after troops received a distress call reporting an attack on the community.
The statement said the troops responded swiftly by mobilising to the area to confront the attackers and restore security.
“On arrival, the troops made contact with the armed criminals and engaged them in a gunfight. As a result, the assailants were overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower and fled in disarray,” the statement read.
The JTF said troops immediately pursued the fleeing suspects and later discovered one suspected armed herder who had been neutralised during the encounter.
According to the statement, security operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, and a Nokia mobile phone from the scene.
“The recovered items have been secured, while the remains of the neutralized assailant was evacuated by the Police. Efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend other members of the group who fled the scene,” it added.
The Joint Task Force commended its troops for what it described as their tactical resilience and praised the Nigeria Police Force for its effective collaboration during the operation.
It also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities within their communities to security agen
