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Troops of a joint military exercise code-named Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), on Saturday, reportedly uncovered arms and ammunition at the palace of a district head in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State (names withheld).
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It was learnt that the troops also recovered weapons at the palace of another district head in the same axis (names also withheld), who allegedly escaped through the back door with a rifle before the soldiers could arrest him.
Sources said the monarch escaped when he got hint that his counterpart had been arrested and the soldiers had information that he was in possession of six AK47 rifles that are being used for perpetrating crimes in both Benue and Taraba States.
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A source from the area who spoke on the condition of anonymity told our correspondent that OPWS troops acted on credible information to uncover weapons in the palaces of the two traditional rulers following the activities of some armed Bandits in their domains.
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“It was at about 10:30pm on Friday when we saw some soldiers moving towards the palace of Mue Ter Cha. Then the next moment, we saw that the military have arrested the Chief. We also saw them bringing out some arms which we heard were discovered in his house. They equally razed down a round hut located in the palace suspected to be housing the weapons and some criminal elements.
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“Just this morning (Saturday), the military troops were still seen in Lumbuv District where they also attempted to arrest the District Head whom they (Soldiers) believe harboured illegal arms. However, information got to the chief and he escaped the arrest. As I talk to you, nobody knows where the army took the traditional rulers to”, the source said.
Another reliable source told Journalists that one Ak47 assault rifle, one magazine with 20 round of 7.62mm ammunitions, one locally made mortar tube and one vehicle were recovered from the arrested monarch’s palace.
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It would be recalled that the armed bandits suspected to be loyal to late Benue militia gang leader, Terwase Akwaza alias ‘Gana’, have been terrorising the Sankera axis of Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas, killing unsuspected members of the public.Â
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When contacted, Force Commander of OPWS, Brigadier General Clement Apere declined comments, saying he can’t speak on an operation that had yet to be concluded. He however directed newsmen to the Information Unit of the Defence Headquarters Abuja if Journalists must report.
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