From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Security operatives in Benue state have repelled an attack by gunmen on Tse Gaagum village in Ukemberegya Council Ward in Logo Local Government Area, (LGA), of the state.
The security operatives were reported to have shot to death two of the bandits.
According to a source from the community, the bandits were said to have stormed the village around 4am on Wednesday and attacked the villagers.
The source who did not want to be named said the villagers quickly made a distress call to the security operatives who responded promptly and gave them a hot chase.
The source said, “the bandits stormed the village at about 4:00am on Wednesday and forcefully took away motorcycles and valuables belonging to villagers.
“Luckily, a resident of the village made a call to policemen who raced to the area and succeeded in chasing them and in the process killed two of them and recovered a Bajaj motorcycle .
When contacted the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, (PSP), confirmed the report and commended the security operatives for their prompt response to the distress call.
Har said, “I got the information that security men in Logo who received distress call from residents of Tse Gaagum village early hours of today (Wednesday) shot two of the bandits who attacked the community.
“They succeeded in recovering a Bajaj motorcycle belonging to one of the villagers.”
Other items including a locally fabricated AK-47 with six live ammunition, a matchet, assorted charms were also recovered from the gunmen.
He said the body of the gunmen have been recovered and deposited at NKST morgue in Ugba, Logo LGA.
Har said efforts are being made to trail the fleeing suspects to ensure they are apprehended and brought to book.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) Benue state command, SP Catherine Anene, could not be reached as she did not pick calls made to her phone.