Troops of Sector 6, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have successfully repelled an attack by bandits on the Okokolo community in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue.

The OPWS force commander, Maj.-Gen. Sunday, Igbinomwanhia told journalists in Makurdi on Saturday that the troops forced the bandits to run in disarray after a three-hour battle on Thursday.

He, however, said two soldiers and one personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps lost their lives in the encounter while two other soldiers sustained injuries.

The OPWS force commander said those injured were rushed to Air Force Hospital in Makurdi and are responding to treatment.

He said the troops rushed to Okokolo community, about 15 km from their base at Akwu, when they learnt bandits were heading to the area.

“On arrival, the troops encountered the bandits carrying out an attack on the community and subsequently engaged the criminals in a gun duel that lasted for three hours.

“The attack was successfully repelled, with the terrorists withdrawing in disarray while evacuating their dead and wounded.

“The success achieved was, however, at a huge cost, with three of the troops paying the supreme sacrifice to prevent the killing of the inhabitants of Okokolo and the intended sacking of the community.

“In addition to the death of the two soldiers and one Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel, two other soldiers were wounded and immediately evacuated to the Air Force Hospital in Makurdi,” he added.

The force commander commended the troops and urged them to put the setback of losing their colleagues behind them and remain focused on ridding the state of all criminal elements.

He assured the troops that the Chief of Defence Staff was strongly behind them as they battled to restore peace in Benue.

Mr Igbinomwanhia appreciated Governor Hyacinth Alia for supporting OPWS and pledged that the troops would pursue the criminals to their hideouts.

The state deputy agovernor, Sam Ode, and the OPWS commander visited the troops of Sector 6 on Friday at their base in Akwu.

The visit was to commiserate with them over the death of their gallant colleagues and encourage them not to give breathing space to the criminals.

(NAN)