Gunmen kill 11 soldiers in Benue

At least 11 soldiers have been killed by gunmen after troops came under attack while on a routine operational task in Konshisha LGA of Benue state.

Mohammed Yerima, director, army public relations, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

He said the soldiers, who were declared missing, were later found dead after a search mission was conducted.

“The troops comprising one officer and ten soldiers were initially declared missing which prompted the deployment of a joint search and rescue team comprising NA troops and personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke,” Yerima said.

“The search and rescue team unfortunately found all the missing troops dead in Konshisha LGA of Benue State. While the bodies of the slain troops were evacuated immediately, efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime with a view to bringing them to Justice.

“It may be recalled that Benue State which was a hot bed for violent clashes has been enjoying relative peace following the successes achieved by the various security agencies who have been working tirelessly to safeguard law abiding citizens and ensure they go about their legitimate business without fear of harassment by criminals.

Yerima said the army under the leadership of Ibrahim Attahiru, chief of army staff, is determined to ensure that peace is maintained in the state and other parts of the country affected by criminal activities.

In the past weeks, there has been a series of attacks by gunmen on security personnel across the country.

TheCable had reported how bodies of five soldiers were dismembered by suspected cultists in Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom state.