Attack on Ortom: Military intensifies patrol at security flash-points in Benue

The military operation known as Operation Whirl Stroke, OWS says it has intensified surveillance in areas considered to be security flash-points in Benue State.

Commander of the Operation, Major General Adeyemi Yekini disclosed this today while briefing journalists at the scene of last Saturday’s attack on Governor Samuel Ortom by suspected militia herdsmen.

He noted that the patrol would help check cases of militia herdsmen and other criminal elements emerging from the forest across River Benue to unleash mayhem on the people.

General Yekini said troops have been deployed to the area and are currently combing the forest which serves as a hideout for the assailants, stressing that their makeshift camps had also been destroyed by the troops.

The Commander noted that the coming of the security formation to Benue had improved security to a large extent, saying notorious criminal elements in Sankera axis had also been neutralised.

Maj Gen Yekini while answering questions from journalists on the insecurity in Sankera, appealed to residents to volunteer information about bandits’ hideouts for necessary action, pointing out that refusal to provide useful information had been their challenge.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Colonel Paul Hembah told journalists that though troops of Operation Whirl Stroke and other security agents arrived promptly, they could not get the assailants who retreated to the forest.

He noted however that no arrest had so far been made in connection with the attack.