The Nigerian Military, on Tuesday evening, raided and cleared hideouts of criminals who attacked troops around Bonta village and adjourning communities in Konshisha Local Government area of Benue State.
The troops were also said to have neutralized 12 armed bandits who were part of the gang that carried out the attack on soldiers.
Bonta, a community in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state had been at war with Ukpute-Ainu community of Oju Local Government Area over ownership of land.
The situation made government authorities to deployed military troops to patrol the area to keep peace and ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.
It would be recalled that on Monday evening, troops deployed to maintain peace between the two warring communities were on patrol around Bonta Village when they were reportedly ambushed by gangsters known by the locals as ‘Bonta Boys’, who allegedly seized some of the soldiers.
They alleged that the soldiers had destroyed their illegal roadblocks they earlier mounted around the area.
A source from the area who does not want his name mentioned, disclosed that the soldiers who stormed the village with helicopters and support ground troops, cleared all houses and hideouts suspected to be used by armed bandits in the area during which several arms were said to have been recovered.
At the time of filing this report, residents of Bonta village and environs have deserted their homes and are currently taking refuge at Tse-Agbaragba, headquarters of Konshisha Local Government Area.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene said she was not aware of a raid by the military in Konshisha Local Government Area.
Efforts to speak with Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Maj. Gen. Adeyemi Yekini were unsuccessful as his mobile telephone lines were switched off at the time of this report.
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