Military exercise, Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, has reported the loss of three of its personnel during a fierce armed herdsmen attack on communities in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State.
Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, the Force Commander of OPWS, provided a detailed account of the incident, revealing that two other members sustained injuries in the line of duty.
Igbinomwanhia said the military’s quick response was triggered by the influx of residents fleeing the Okokolo community on Thursday.
VOP NEWS reports that the military encountered the armed bandits engaged in an attack on the community and engaged them in a gun battle.
According to the commander, a three-hour gun battle ensued, resulting in the successful repelling of the attackers.
Major General Igbinomwanhia expressed the high cost incurred by the military in securing Agatu, stating that the success was achieved at a huge cost with three of the troops paying the sacrifice to prevent the killing of the inhabitants of Okokolo and the intended sacking of the community.
Among the casualties were two soldiers and one personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps while two other soldiers sustained injuries and were promptly evacuated to the Nigerian Air Force Hospital in Makurdi for medical attention.
