Soldier, Others Killed As Bandits Attack Benue Community
Multiple individuals, including a soldier, were allegedly slain by suspected bandits in distinct assaults in Kwande and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State.
Reports revealed that the incidents occurred between Saturday and Sunday in the Udedeku community of Maav-Ya, Mkoonmom district of Mbaikyor, Turan Jato-Aka, and Ochumekwu in Kwande and Apa LGAs, respectively.
Numerous casualties were reportedly recorded, with many others unaccounted for, following the bandit incursion into the Udedeku community in Kwande.
The Force Commander of Operations Whirl Stroke, Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, confirmed the death of one of his soldiers during the attacks while addressing the press in Makurdi on Monday.
He said, “Suspected bandits have attacked soldiers deployed in Ochumekwu, Apa LGA, killed one soldier, and wounded one.
“The troops in response killed three and injured several of them. They recovered one AK47 and rounds of ammunition from them.”
The OPWS Commander mentioned that there were no confirmed killings during the Kwande attack, but emphasized that troops were engaged in a clearance operation to eliminate suspected foreign bandits who had entered the LGA.
When reached for comment, Police Public Relations Officer Catherine Anene, told The PUNCH that she was aware of individuals invading Kwande forest but did not have any information regarding fatalities.
She said reportedly said: “What I heard was that some people invaded the forest in Kwande but I didn’t hear of any killing.”
