The Nigerian Army said on Monday that its troops encountered armed hoodlums in the Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State, during which six of the suspects were shot dead.
One of our correspondents learnt that the troops from the Army Records, Headquarters Command, who were on an operation codenamed, Total Freedom, killed the bandits at Kpanche, Bereko and Ozugbe villages in the Bassa LGA.
The hoodlums were alleged to be terrorising the areas.
According to the army, items recovered from the hoodlums include two AK-47 rifles with five magazines, 25 rounds of ammunition, one G3 rifle with one magazine, 188 rounds of ammunition, among others.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, who confirmed the incident, advised residents not to panic, urging them to report suspicious persons and activities to the military.
Chukwu said, “The troops, while on a clearance operation at Kpanche, Bereko and Ozugbe villages, in the Bassa LGA, encountered bandits responsible for terrorising the areas. Six of the suspects were neutralised during the encounter, while others fled following the firepower of the troops.
“Items recovered included two AK-47 rifles with five magazines, 25 rounds of ammunition, one G3 rifle with one magazine, 188 rounds of ammunition and two locally-made guns. Fleeing residents have been reassured of their safety and advised not to panic. They should report any suspicious activity or movement to law enforcement agencies.”
In a related development, some suspected herdsmen on Sunday reportedly killed one of the military officers on peace keeping mission in the Logo LGA of Benue State.
One of our correspondents gathered that the assailants ambushed the operative and shot him dead on Anyiin-Gbeji Road, while he was on a commercial motorcycle.
A source said, “We learnt from his colleagues that he had earlier received a call from his wife that the family was in need of money. So, he took permission on Sunday to go to Anyiin for a bank transaction.
“He boarded a commercial motorcycle around 5pm and on the way, they ran into armed herdsmen who were grazing their cattle freely near Jootar. They (the victim and motorcycle rider) tried to flee from the place, but the herdsmen shot him from the back and fled with their cattle far into the bush.
“The rider, whose motorcycle was also taken away by the attackers, managed to escape into the bush unhurt, from where he raised the alarm. The victim was rushed to a hospital at Ayiin, where he died because he had lost a lot of blood.
“But before his death, he told his colleagues what happened. The efforts of the medical personnel on the ground to save his life proved abortive.