Troops recover two rifles after gunfight in Benue, military says

Troops recovered two AK-47 rifles after repelling armed men in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Monday, according to the military.

Operation Whirl Stroke acting media information officer Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu said troops of the task force’s Maritime Component acted on intelligence that suspected criminals posing as herders had crossed from neighbouring Nasarawa State.

Zubairu said the armed group opened fire when the troops arrived. The soldiers returned fire and forced the attackers to flee, with no casualties recorded among the troops, he said.

A search of the area also yielded four empty rifle magazines, eight calves and three mobile phones, according to the statement.

Force Commander Major General Moses Gara urged the troops to sustain intelligence-led operations and strengthen cooperation with local communities. He also asked residents to report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies.

The military account did not specify whether any of the fleeing attackers had been arrested or suffered casualties.

Sources: Punch; Daily Post; Premium Times