Troops of the 401 Special Forces Brigade, in conjunction with Sector 1 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have neutralised a suspected bandit and destroyed multiple criminal hideouts in a clearance operation around the Tatough general area of Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State.
The operation, which was carried out with the support of local hunters, targeted known criminal enclaves in Mdoor, Anter, Tse-Gegu, Tse-Akaajime, Tse-Agam, and Ndor villages.
According to a statement issued by OPWS Headquarters on Sunday in Makurdi, the troops encountered hostile fire at Tse-Akaajime village, triggering a fierce gun battle that resulted in the death of one bandit.
Several others were said to have fled into the surrounding bushes.
Items recovered at the scene include two Tecno mobile phones and three motorcycles, believed to have been used for coordinating bandit activities.
In a sweeping effort to deny the criminals any foothold, troops went on to dismantle all identified bandit camps in the area, preventing any possibility of regrouping.
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The operation also included providing security escort for bereaved family members to Tse-Ayele village for a burial, underscoring the military’s continued support for local communities.
Troops stationed at Tatough have since intensified foot and perimeter patrols to ensure a sustained security presence and boost public confidence.
The Acting Commander of the 401 Special Forces Brigade and Sector 1 OPWS, Colonel K.O. Bukoye, praised the troops for their bravery, discipline, and unwavering dedication.
He encouraged them to maintain the momentum in the ongoing campaign to rid Benue of criminal threats and restore lasting peace.
