The military has lunched Operation Whirl Stroke for Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states, to counter armed herdsmen and militia groups operating in the areas.
The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.- Gen, John Agim , said at the Tactical Air Command headquarters in Makurdi that the operation which began on May 8, consists of all the military services, police and Department of State Services (DSS).
Agim also confirmed the arrest of some militias, armed herdsmen and associates of a notorious suspected criminal Terwase Akwaza, who has since been declared wanted.
Furthermore, the Force Commander in charge of the new operation, Major General Mutiu Yekini, assured residents of improved security with the operations covering both land and air targets.
Since the beginning of the year, many have lost their lives and property as a result of clashes between farmers and killer herdsmen in states across the country.
While Benue has been one of the most affected states, many have called on the Federal Government to declare the killer herdsmen as terrorists.
The Federal Government, on the other hand, has appealed to leaders of various groups to convince their constituents that it is doing its best to end the recurring attacks across the country.
Meanwhile, troops on Operation Lafiya Dole have killed two suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorist group after a tough gunfight in Borno State.
The Deputy Director of Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu said that the army on Thursday overran terrorist hideouts in Bukar Maryam and Abaganaram villages of the state in north-east Nigeria.
The soldiers, who were on a joint counter-insurgency operation with Cameroonian Defence Forces and the Civilian Joint Task Force in the northern hinterlands of Borno, also arrested other insurgents.
The troops overpowered the insurgents, killing two of them and capturing 11 men after a fierce firefight, during an operation to clear the surrounding villages of fleeing Boko Haram terrorists.”
Some of the items recovered from the insurgents include two Multi-Purpose Rocket Grenade Launcher (Police Tear Gas Gun), one Rocket Propelled Gun Charger, two AK-47 rifle magazines with 20 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and one magazine vest.
Source:The Nation
