Troops arrest five suspected militia members, recover firearm in Benue

Troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested five suspected militia members and seized a firearm during a clearance operation in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to security sources, the operation was conducted around 8:00 a.m. on July 17 by personnel from the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Otukpo and Oju.

The troops reportedly stormed suspected militia hideouts in the Otukpo-Nobi, Amichio and Amula Forest axis, where five suspects were apprehended.

Items recovered during the operation included a locally fabricated Dane gun and five rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

Following the raid, the troops demolished the identified militia camps to prevent the suspects and their associates from returning to use them as operational bases.

The arrested suspects remain in military custody for preliminary investigation, while security forces continue efforts to track down and arrest other members of the suspected criminal network operating in the area.