The military spike operation in Benue State, codenamed Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, has confirmed that it lost three members of the troops while two others sustained injuries in Thursday’s armed Fulani herdsmen attack on communities in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of the state.
In a detailed account of the invasion by the marauding herders and the huge cost paid by his troops to secure Agatu, the OPWS Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia explained that his troops deployed to the Agwu community reacted following the huge number of people fleeing the Okokolo community on Thursday.
According to him, “On inquiry, the troops were informed that terrorists suspected to be armed herdsmen were advancing towards the town to attack it. The troops immediately mobilised and proceeded to the community, which is about 15 kilometres from their base.
“On arrival, the troops encountered the bandits attacking the community and subsequently engaged the criminals in a gun duel that lasted three hours.
“The attack was successfully repelled, with the terrorists withdrawing in disarray while evacuating their dead and wounded.
“The success achieved was, however, at a huge cost, with three of the troops paying the supreme sacrifice to prevent the killing of the inhabitants of Okokolo and the intended sacking of the community.
“In addition to the deaths of the two soldiers and one Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel, two other soldiers were wounded and immediately evacuated to the Nigerian Air Force hospital in Makurdi.”
He stated that in a swift reaction to the gallantry exhibited by the troops, he and Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy Sam Ode, visited the troops Friday morning and were received by the Agatu Chairman, Yakubu Ochepo, and the traditional rulers.
Gen. Igbinomwanhia informed us that the Governor commensurated with the troops of OPWS Sector 5 and also assured the Joint Task Force of the continued support of the state government, promising to assist in the treatment of the wounded.
The Force Commander commended the troops and urged them to put behind the loss of their colleagues and remain focused on the mission of ridding the Joint Operations Area of the Force of all criminality.
Gen. Igbinomwanhia informed the troops of the speedy recovery of their wounded colleagues, assuring them of the support of the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, in the conduct of their operations.
He hinted that an operation was already underway to track the marauders to the hideout, assuring the state government of the determination of the OPWS to carry out its mandate as directed by the CDS to ensure the security of lives and properties in the Force Joint Operations Area.
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