Bandits Kill Nigerian Army Officer, 10 Soldiers In Benue

The Nigerian Army on Thursday night confirmed the killing of one officer and 10 soldiers in Benue State during a routine operational task.

The deaths were confirmed in a statement issued by the Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima.

He said following the killings, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, had ordered commanders on ground to apprehend and deal decisively with the criminal gangs in the area responsible for the killings.

“Nigerian Army (NA) troops operating in Benue State came under attack while on routine operational task. The troops comprising one officer and 10 soldiers were initially declared missing, which prompted the deployment of a joint search and rescue team comprising NA troops and personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke.

“The search and rescue team unfortunately found all the missing troops dead in Konshisha LGA of Benue State. “While the bodies of the slain troops were evacuated immediately, efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime with a view to bringing them to Justice”, it said.

He added that the Nigerian Army under the leadership of the Attahiru remained resolute in ensuring stability in Benue State as well as other parts of the country that were affected by the activities of criminal gangs.

According to Yerima, the army was determined to ensure that the unprovoked attack did not disrupt the general peace being enjoyed by the local inhabitants.