Troops Commence 7-Day Special Operation To Clear Forests, Communities In Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba

The joint military operation covering Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba
states, codenamed Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, has commenced a
7-day operation in the three states to clear bandits and armed
herders in forests and communities located in the states.

Though no formal statement has been issued to that effect by the
Commander of the OPWS, Brig. Gen. Clement Apere, a military source
told reporters yesterday in Makurdi that the operation became
necessary to check the incessant attacks on communities in Benue
state particularly by armed herdsmen.

He explained that the operation would also be covering islands
behind the Nigeria Army School of Military Engineering, NASME,
barracks in Makurdi and Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area of
Benue state which were identified as locations usually used as
hideouts by armed herders from Nasarawa state before they launch
attacks on unsuspecting victims in the state.

He disclosed that the armed herders only recently ambushed
military personnel on duty behind the NASME barracks assuring that
the operation will be used to flush them out.

According to him, “the clearing operation will also be covering
the Sankera axis of of Benue state which is Logo, Ukum and
Katsina-Ala LGAs down to Yoyo River and Kwente in Kwande LGA of
Benue state where an armed militia, led by one Chekere alias Azonto
terrorizes the locals.”

He urged members of the public particularly those in Makurdi
where helicopters have been flying very low to remain calm and go
about their businesses without fear stressing that the operation
was targeted at specific locations to bring about peace in all
communities of the three states to enable farmers go back to their
farms.

The source assured that the outcome of the ongoing operation
would be made known by the military high command at the appropriate
time.

The joint military operation covering Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba
states, codenamed Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, has commenced a
7-day operation in the three states to clear bandits and armed
herders in forests and communities located in the states.

Though no formal statement has been issued to that effect by the
Commander of the OPWS, Brig. Gen. Clement Apere, a military source
told reporters yesterday in Makurdi that the operation became
necessary to check the incessant attacks on communities in Benue
state particularly by armed herdsmen.

He explained that the operation would also be covering islands
behind the Nigeria Army School of Military Engineering, NASME,
barracks in Makurdi and Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area of
Benue state which were identified as locations usually used as
hideouts by armed herders from Nasarawa state before they launch
attacks on unsuspecting victims in the state.

He disclosed that the armed herders only recently ambushed
military personnel on duty behind the NASME barracks assuring that
the operation will be used to flush them out.

According to him, “the clearing operation will also be covering
the Sankera axis of of Benue state which is Logo, Ukum and
Katsina-Ala LGAs down to Yoyo River and Kwente in Kwande LGA of
Benue state where an armed militia, led by one Chekere alias Azonto
terrorizes the locals.”

He urged members of the public particularly those in Makurdi
where helicopters have been flying very low to remain calm and go
about their businesses without fear stressing that the operation
was targeted at specific locations to bring about peace in all
communities of the three states to enable farmers go back to their
farms.

The source assured that the outcome of the ongoing operation
would be made known by the military high command at the appropriate
time.