By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, have foiled an attack by suspected armed herders on Azege Village in Tombo Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area, Benue State.
The troops also recovered an AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and a Nokia mobile phone during the operation.
The Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters, JTF Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to him, the troops received a distress call on August 10, 2026, reporting an attack on the Azege community.
He said the troops immediately mobilised to the area, where they engaged the suspected attackers in a gun battle.
“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 said.
Zubairu added that the troops pursued the fleeing attackers and subsequently discovered one of the armed herders neutralised during the encounter.
He said the recovered AK-47 rifle, ammunition and mobile phone had been secured, while the remains of the deceased assailant were evacuated by the police.
“Efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend other members of the group who fled the scene,” he added.
The Joint Task Force commended the troops for their tactical resilience and praised the Nigeria Police Force for its effective collaboration during the operation.
The task force also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies to prevent further attacks in their communities
