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The Police Command in Benue says it has neutralised 12 bandits terrorising the Buruku Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Makurdi.
Anene said that the command unfortunately lost one of its personnel, Insp. Terfa Anyiatse, during an exchange of gunfire with the bandits.
The PPRO stated that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Steve Yabanet, had on March 6 ordered tactical commanders and divisional police officers to clamp down on criminals in the state.
Anene said that the order became necessary when the command noticed a regrouping of criminal gangs.
She said that following the directives, the Operation Zenda Joint Taskforce embarked on raids across the state.
According to her, on March 19, while some of the operatives were on their way to a criminal hideout at Agwabi, Tombo Ward, Buruku LGA, they ran into an ambush laid by the bandits who engaged the police in a fierce gun duel.
“The police countered the ambush with superior firepower that subdued the gang.
“At the end of the crossfire, 12 bandits were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“The bandits were taken to a hospital where they were confirmed dead and the corpses deposited at the hospital mortuary.
“Items recovered from them include three AK-47 rifles, six rounds of live ammunition, camouflage uniforms and assorted charms.
