The commander of Operation Whirl Stroke in charge of Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states, Major Gen. Yekini, has said the army recovered 45 assorted weapons and 701 rounds of ammunition from Bassa militia camp in Zwere, Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. While presenting the recovered items yesterday before newsmen in Lafia, Yekini said the weapons were recovered following an intelligence report.
Similarly, the Zamfara State Police Command has arrested a suspected gun-maker and gunrunner responsible for the supply of arms to bandits and other criminals in the state. Addressing newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Gusau, the state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, said the suspect, Shehu, was arrested in possession of 11 locally fabricated guns.
According to Yekini, Operation Whirl Stroke is an intervention force, which was established about eight months ago with the mandate to put to an end to the incessant killings by herdsmen, militia groups and other criminal elements operating in Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states.
He said: “We have recovered a lot of things in terms of weapons, ammunition and even in terms of arresting suspects in the last eight months. Two days ago, our force ran into an ambush by suspected Bassa militia in Ugya, Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, but we thank God nobody died.
“We were able to clear the ambush and even inflicted injuries/casualties on the militia. We began operation and we discovered the Bassa suspected militia’s camp at
“We were able to recover 45 assorted weapons and 701 assorted ammunition, which included 39 locally made rifles, two G3 rifles, three locally made pistols, one SMG, five G3 rifle magazines, four revolver cartridge holders. Others are 100 special rounds of 9mm pistol links, 72×7.62mm NATO rounds, military uniforms, handsets
He advised militias and other criminal elements in the area and the state at large to shun criminal activities in their interest and in the interest of peace and development. He said that the army would be up and doing in order to flush out criminals in Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states.
Meanwhile, Zanna said: “The guns meant for supply to bandits in the bush were recovered in his possession. Based on overwhelming revelations, the suspect has been subjected to discreet investigation with a view to
Zanna added that the command also foiled two different bandit attacks on Dan Gamji village and villages along Bindim-Gobirawa Chali in Dansadau emirate of Maru Local Government Area of the state.
“Our combat-readiness, determination and total commitment towards onslaught against vicious crimes, in partnership with the state government, traditional rulers, communities and religious leaders, is yielding positive results,” he said.
The police commissioner said the command has also arrested 41 suspects in connection with the violent protest in the state last year.
“You may recall that on December 24, 2018, some miscreants embarked on a violent protest in Tsafe, Magazu and
He said the command also rescued a kidnapped woman named Ayobami.
Zanna, who resumed duty on January 1, said the security challenges that were prevalent in Zamfara State included cattle rustling, banditry, reprisal attacks, kidnapping, culpable homicide and farmers-herders’ clashes, which need the support of the people to surmount.
Apart from the 11 locally fabricated guns, other firearms
recovered by the command
barked on a violent protest in Tsafe, Magazu and
He said the command also rescued a kidnapped woman named Ayobami.
Zanna, who resumed duty on January 1, said the security challenges that were prevalent in Zamfara State included cattle rustling, banditry, reprisal attacks, kidnapping, culpable homicide and farmers-herders’ clashes, which need the support of the people to surmount.
Apart from the 11 locally fabricated guns, other firearms
recovered by the command
