[PHOTOS] Benue killings: Troops arrest nine gang members

Troops of 93 Battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed in Takum,
Taraba State, have arrested nine well-armed militia from Benue,
claiming to be members of government sponsored security
volunteers.

The armed gang were arrested at Arufu, a boundary town between
Taraba and Benue States, a military intelligence source told
PRNigeria on Tuesday.

Five of the suspects were armed with AK-45 rifles fully loaded.
On their arrest, a reinforcement of a purported Civilian JTF Group
came to prevent the troops from taking them to custody.

The military source further disclosed that when the soldiers
stood their ground, the armed militia’s reinforcement later
withdrew.

The officer said: “During the preliminary investigation the
arrested armed gang claimed that the weapons were issued to them by
one Aliyu Tashaku through an agent of government.

“The suspects also confirmed that they were 60 in number in
their own camp located at Gbeyi, Benue State.

“However, further investigation revealed that they were more than
700 and well-armed at the camp where they were trained by selected
ex-service men on a monthly allowance of N15,000.00 from their
sponsors.”

Meanwhile, the suspects are cooperating with their investigators
while security operatives are conducting further investigations to
unravel the real sponsors of the armed gang and their motives.

Troops of 93 Battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed in Takum,
Taraba State, have arrested nine well-armed militia from Benue,
claiming to be members of government sponsored security
volunteers.

The armed gang were arrested at Arufu, a boundary town between
Taraba and Benue States, a military intelligence source told
PRNigeria on Tuesday.

Five of the suspects were armed with AK-45 rifles fully loaded.
On their arrest, a reinforcement of a purported Civilian JTF Group
came to prevent the troops from taking them to custody.

The military source further disclosed that when the soldiers
stood their ground, the armed militia’s reinforcement later
withdrew.

The officer said: “During the preliminary investigation the
arrested armed gang claimed that the weapons were issued to them by
one Aliyu Tashaku through an agent of government.

“The suspects also confirmed that they were 60 in number in
their own camp located at Gbeyi, Benue State.

“However, further investigation revealed that they were more than
700 and well-armed at the camp where they were trained by selected
ex-service men on a monthly allowance of N15,000.00 from their
sponsors.”

Meanwhile, the suspects are cooperating with their investigators
while security operatives are conducting further investigations to
unravel the real sponsors of the armed gang and their motives.