Troops Kill Four Militias, Arrest Suspected Kidnap Kingpin
The Nigerian Army has killed four suspected Tiv militias and injured others at Che Jukun village in Taraba State.
A statement by the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, on Tuesday said the suspects were killed during a gunfight with the troops.
According to Enenche, the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke operating under Operation Accord deployed at Gbise in Katsina-Ala LGA in Benue State and Sector 4 in Taraba State conducted a joint commando raid on Monday at Rafin Kada in Wukari LGA and Yojaa in Donga LGA of Taraba State.
He noted that the armed militia opened fire on sighting the troops who responded with superior firepower, thereby neutralising four of them while an unconfirmed number escaped with gunshot wounds.
The troops recovered from the suspects, two locally-made rifles, 55 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 117 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, three AK47 magazines, and two motorcycles among other items.
In another development, Enenche said troops responded to a distress call from Zaki Biam on the activities of a suspected notorious kidnap kingpin, Kobo Ishor (aka ‘Lesser’), an associate of late Orjondu.
He noted that the suspect has been apprehended and undergoing interrogation and would be handed over to the police for prosecution.
“The High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria congratulates the gallant troops of Operation Whirl Stroke for their dexterity and professionalism and encourages them to remain resolute in curtailing the activities of criminals in the North-Central zone of the country,” the military spokesman added.
