Military Fights Off Armed Bandits In Benue Market

On Wednesday evening, men of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) were engaged in a gun battle with suspected armed bandits who shot sporadically at Abaji market in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue state.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Benue state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, said that one person was killed by the bandits, while nine others were injured.

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The PPRO said, “On 24/03/2021 at about 6:30 pm while traders were closing from Abaji Market in Kastina-Ala Local Government area, bandits who disguised themselves as buyers started shooting sporadically and killed one person while nine others were injured.

“Joint operation of Police and other security agencies returned fire and repelled the bandits to the forest with gunshot injuries where they have been cordoned for search."

Anene added that the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the Primary Healthcare Center, Abaji while the injured victims are receiving medical attention at the General Hospital, Kastina-Ala.