The troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, yesterday, stormed a hideout of notorious bandits in Vingir village, Gbise ward in Katsina-Ala Local Council of Benue State and captured one after a gun duel, while others escaped with gunshot injuries.

It was gathered that the operation was executed following a tip-off on a notorious armed bandit’s hideout that has been terrorising the peaceful citizens of the state.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency media expert that troops deployed at Kufai Ahmadu and Kasuwan Haske stormed the hideout to engage the terrorists.

On their arrival, contact was made with the violent extremists. Troops responded with superior firepower forcing them to withdraw into the surrounding bushes.

The troops further pursued the fleeing terrorists and captured one identified as Dogo Manu, 27, alive with his AK47 rifle.

Similarly, the troops deployed at Fikyu repelled an attack by bandits in Pukun in the Fikyu general area of Ussa Local Council of Taraba State.

The bandits were said to have stormed the general area and began shooting sporadically. The troops, however, responded swiftly and ended the violent extremists, forcing them to retreat.

After the gun battle, the troops carried out a search around the general area and recovered ammunition abandoned by the attackers.