Troops Storm Benue Community In Rescue Operation For Missing Soldiers

Operatives of the military spike Operation codenamed Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have cordoned Bonta community in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State over two soldiers found to be missing while on duty.

The troops are  reportedly on trail  of suspected armed bandits who allegedly ambushed soldiers  while on patrol at Bonta village in Konshisha local government area of Benue state.

The soldiers were said to be on routine patrol in parts of Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas of the state on Monday when they came under heavy attack by armed bandits at about 5pm.

Impeccable source from  the area told newsmen in Makurdi that the armed bandits known as “Bonta boys”, attacked the soldiers for coming to destroy illegal road blocks they had mounted.

It was further gathered that at the time of this report, no fewer than two soldiers on patrol are still missing in the area while one of them have being found alive this morning.

The source who did not want his name mentioned in print, said the soldiers were on patrol around Bonta village when they were ambushed by gunmen who saw the patrol troops and suddenly opened fire on them.

However, our source disclosed that a reinforcement of soldiers responded to a distress call and swiftly repelled the gunmen who were subdued by the superior fire power of the troops.

“When it happened, we immediately alerted members of Operation Whirl Stroke, who responded swiftly, but before their arrival, the gunmen fled. However, troops of the OPWS are already on the trail of the bandits and we pray they are able to rescue the remaining missing soldiers soon. The source further hinted that the OPWS troops slept overnight in Konshisha and are continuing with the operation today (Tuesday).

“I believe this was carried out probably to intimidate the military who are doing a great job in the state”, the source said.

 OPWS Force commander, Major General Adeyemi Yekini could not be reached as his phone numbers were all switched off and text messages sent to his cell phone could not be delivered as at the time of filing this report.