Benue Kidnapper Arrested as Troops Foil Rustling Operation in Niger
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said that a notorious kidnapper in Benue State, Kobo Ishor aka Lesser, has been arrested, after troops swiftly responded to a distress call from Zaki Biam on the activities of the kidnap kingpin.
According to a statement by the Defence Media Operations (DMO), Ishor, who is an associate of late Orjondu, another notorious criminal, is currently undergoing interrogation, and will soon be handed over to the Nigerian Police for prosecution.
This is coming as aggressive air strikes executed by troops of Operation Gama Aiki, at Kasuwan Ango Community in Mariga Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, have resulted in the disruption of the activities of a group of armed bandits operating in the area.
The statement of the DMO, which was issued by Maj. Gen. John Enenche, on Tuesday, indicated that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, operating under Operation Accord, deployed at Gbise in Katsina Ala LGA of Benue Benue, and Sector 4 in Taraba State, conducted a joint commando raid operation in the early hours of 29 June 2020.
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In the raid, at Rafin Kada in Wukari LGA and Yojaa in Donga LGA of Taraba State, Enenche, said the troops came in contact with suspected Tiv militias at Che Jukun village.
“The armed militia opened fire on sighting the troops who responded with superior firepower thereby neutralizing 4 of them in the process while unconfirmed number escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered include; 2 locally made rifles, 55 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 117 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 3 mobile phones, 3 AK 47 magazines, 2 motorcycles, one military shirt uniform, one Peace Corps ID Card belonging to one Mr. Anyor Fidelis and some charms,” he added.
On the disruption of bandits’ nefarious activities in Mariga LGA of Niger State, Maj. Gen. Enenche, who is the Coordinator of DMO, explained that the successful air operations were conducted on the night of 28 and early hours of 29 June 2020.
These, he said, were sequel to credible intelligence reports, indicating that some armed bandits in black attire were seen on the move with a large number of rustled cattle in the area.
“Accordingly, the Air Component dispatched a helicopter gunship to engage the bandits in multiple waves of attack leading to the neutralization of some of the bandits, while a few escaped with gunshot wounds. Two of the escaping bandits, who happened to be foreigners, were later apprehended,” he added.
