Military Operations under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) has deployed troops to Tyo-Mu where Governor Samuel Ortom was attacked by Fulani militia herdsmen last Saturday, even as it said it has neutralized 1000 criminals and recovered 700 weapons in Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa states.

The Commander, OPWS, Maj. Gen. Adeyemi Yekini who made the disclosure on Tuesday while conducting journalist round the Tyo-Mu said, the deployment was to forestall incidences of armed banditry.

Yekini who was at the site of the attack with the Security Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom, Col. Paul Hemba (rtd) noted that his troops immediately moved in to clear the area, saying troops would remain at the area for the next few days and would continue to patrol the area.

“We are here to show you that the general area is clear of any bandits. The incidence is quite unfortunate and we immediately combed the area. We should not be judged by this singular incidence. We have accepted it was a security breach and we are working to address it. We have made a lot of progress. Before we came, Benue was a killing galore but we have substantially restored peace in the state.”

The OPWS Commander stated that since coming on board three years ago, over 1000 armed criminals have been neutralized, and close to 700 weapons recovered in Benue, Taraba, and the Nasarawa States with the highest number of arms recovery made in Benue.

He urged the people of the state, especially the Sankera axis of Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala to cooperate with security agencies by giving useful information that would help them flush out criminals in the area.

On his part, the Security Adviser who disclosed that five empty shells were recovered from the area stated that no arrest had yet been made but that three local fishermen who reside in the area were only invited for questioning after which they were allowed to go home.

Hemba who commended the swift response of troops of OPWS to the area said as soon as the troops were alerted, they moved in to comb the area but that the armed bandits had run away by the time they arrived.

“We are at the sight of the unfortunate incidence of the attack on Governor Samuel Ortom. He came into his farm and while touring the farm, he went to a small market and on his way back the gunmen who were hiding in the bushes opened fire on him.

“We quickly alerted the OPWS and they immediately responded and gave them a hot chase and have been combing the bushes since then. We commend OPWS for its prompt response.

According to him, the troops combed the bushes and found some makeshift hideouts, and burnt them. We couldn’t make any arrests because the bandits ran.