Troops kill ‘three bandits’ in Benue, rescue kidnap victim

The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have killed three bandits in Benue state.

Bernard Onyeuko, director of defence media operation, in a statement on Sunday, said the troops also arrested four kidnappers in recent operations in parts of the state.

Onyeuko said the troops conducted a raid at a bandits’ hideout in Mbahuwuhe village, Utange council ward, Katsina-Ala LGA.

He said the operation led to the killing of the three bandits and the rescue of a kidnapped victim who was blindfolded in the hideout.

Onyeuko said the rescued victim is presently undergoing treatment.

“Several items including a motorcycle, two cell phones among others were recovered before the hideout was brought down,” he said.

Onyeuko said the troops, on June 24, arrested four suspected kidnappers at Igumale council ward of Ado LGA.

He gave the identities of the suspects as Alhaji Abdullahi, Sale Hassan, Usman Abdullahi and Ibrahim Iliyasu.

According to him, all arrested criminals have been handed over to the police for necessary action.

“The military high command commends the troops and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on criminal activities,” he added.