Suspected herdsmen early hours of today attacked soldiers attached to the ‘Operation Whirl Stroke’,a military operation in Benue,Nasarawa,Taraba and Zamfara killing two of them in the process. The unit commander of the troops was also severely injured.

The ambush according to sources happened in Bakin-Korta, Mbadwem Council Ward of Guma Local Government area of Benue State and Keana in Nasarawa State.

Guma Local Government council Chairman, Anthony Shawon while confirming the incident said the herdsmen came on Monday and dug trenches around a new bridge the Governor Samuel Ortom administration built at Bakin-Korta linking Keana in Nasarawa State.

“I gathered they came in their numbers and dug the trenches on both sides of the bridge so that the army would not have easy access to the area in the event of an attack on Guma.

“When the soldiers got wind of the development, they mobilised the community to fill up the trenches. The people of the community in my local government went and filled it up.

“At about 5am today the soldiers also moved to Keana to find out those who carried out the act and why.

“On their way after passing a Police check point on their way to Ruga a Fulani camp, somehow the herdsmen probably heard of their coming and laid ambush for the soldiers.

“In the ensuing shootout two of the soldiers were killed on the spot, a Captain who is the Unit Commander was also shot but he has been moved to the hospital in Makurdi for treatment and surgery.

“We learnt that they were planing to repeat what they did in Plateau State in Guma but for the quick response of the soldiers. I must commend the soldiers for taking a proactive measure to stop them but unfortunately they lost their personnel in the effort, it is regrettable,” he revealed.

Photo Credit: Gistmania

Herdsmen kill soldiers in Benue, injure commander

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