Three bandits feared killed in Benue gun duel

Three bandits were reportedly killed on Sunday night by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) at Adaka community in Makurdi council area of Benue State during a gun duel.

An eyewitness, Isaac Apine, told reporters yesterday in Makurdi that the hoodlums had stormed the suburbs at about 8:00 p.m. to rob unsuspecting residents of their valuables before soldiers on patrol were alerted.

He said the criminals were first to open fire, adding that a couple, who mistakenly walked into the attackers, was murdered.

His words: “It was when we heard terrible gunshots that we quickly alerted the military personnel who responded swiftly to repel the bandits.

“In fact, if not for the prompt intervention of the military, something more terrible could have happened. The military engaged the bandits in a gun duel, and at the end, we saw them with three dead bodies.”

When contacted for comments, Commander of OPWS, Major General Adeyemi Yekini confirmed that his officers had an encounter with some hoodlums around the settlement, but was silent on casualties.

Instead, he referred The Guardian to the Defence Headquarters Media Operations team for further information on the incident.

Yekini had said: “Our troops are on top of the situation, and will do everything possible with other security agencies on the ground to protect the people.”