Troops arrest 2 suspected bandit logistics suppliers in Benue

Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Whirl Stroke, have arrested two suspected bandits logistics suppliers and two suspected armed robbers in Benue State.

A statement signed by Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters of JTF Operation Whirl Stroke, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Makurdi, said the arrests were made on Oct. 28.

Zubairu said the suspected logistics suppliers were arrested in Abaji community, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area (LGA), while the suspected armed robbers were apprehended in Jootar village, Ukum LGA.

He alleged that the two suspects supplied logistics to a bandit kingpin operating across River Yooyo in Katsina-Ala LGA.

Zubairu identified the suspects as Tertser Terngu, 24, and Aondongu Tersoo, 15, both from Tersoo village.

He said the suspects were in custody for investigation and further processing by the appropriate authorities.

The acting media and information officer further said that troops on patrol received intelligence about an armed robbery incident at Jootar Village, along the Kyado-Wukari Road in Ukum LGA.

Zubairu said the troops mobilised to the scene at about 2:16 p.m., where members of the Volunteer Guards had already apprehended two suspected armed robbers.

He listed the items recovered from the suspects to include a locally made pistol, seven rounds of 7.62mm PKT ammunition and a pair of scissors, he said.

Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, Force Commander, JTF Operation Whirl Stroke, and General Officer Commanding, 5 Division, Nigerian Army, commended the troops for their efforts.

Gara urged the troops to sustain the operational tempo, remain vigilant and leverage timely intelligence to combat criminal activities across the joint operations area.