A Unit Commander of the Benue State Joint Security Taskforce, code named ‘Operation Zenda’ has been killed alongside eleven (11) suspected armed bandits terrorising the Sankera axis of the state.
Sankera axis is comprised of Katsina/Ala, Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State.
The police officer was killed when security agents engaged the bandits in a gun battle which reportedly lasted for over 12 hours.
A source who pleaded anonymity told LEADERSHIP, that the slain officer was an Inspector of Police who was heading the unit command of Operation Zenda in the area.
According to the source, officers of Zenda operatives on Tuesday, raided a militia hideout in the area and on sighting the police, the bandits opened fire on them, gunning down the Unit Commander in the process.
Eleven members of the deadly group were were also neutralised by the superior fire power of the police.
The source narrated that officers of Operation Zenda stationed in the area received a distress call from the locals, informing than that a militia were attacking people in the surrounding communities and they quickly mobilised and rushed to the bandits’ hideout where gun battle ensued upon sighting the security agents.
“The police overpowered the bandits in the gun battle that started on Tuesday night till Wednesday morning, killing 11 bandits on the spot, while other members of the gang fled into the nearby bushes,” our source narrated.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, Catherine Anene who confirmed the incident, however, said she was yet to get the details.
She promised to get back to our correspondent whenever she has the details of the incident.
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