By Godwin Edeh
A joint military troop of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) on Sunday raided a criminal hideout, allegedly occupied by gang members of the late Benue militia leader, Terwase Akwaza alias Gana.
The Voice gathered that, OPWS troops deployed to Kasina-Ala carried out the raid on the hideout of members of the gang in Dyom village, near Senge community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State and in the process, apprehended 2 suspects and recovered one (1) AK 47 rifle.
It was further gathered that the armed men were all dressed in military camouflage and were clearly identified as boys loyal to the late Terwase Akwaza.
A community leader in the area, Kpere Sona told journalists that although, no casualty was recorded during the attack, he confirmed that the armed men attacked some people when they invaded the area but due to the quick intervention of the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, their mission was crippled and confirmed that no life was lost as being speculated in some sections of the media.
The armed men were said to have sneaked into the village and started shooting sporadically and burning down houses before the military troops came to their rescue .
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene could not be reached as she neither responded to our call or text message as at the time of going to print.
It will be recalled that, the state security council recently imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Katsina-Ala and Ukum local government areas, respectively to check the increasing cases of banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery in the areas.