Three herders, soldier killed in gun-battle in Benue

By Emmanuel Antswen

Three armed herders and one soldier have been killed during a gun-battle between the herders and troops in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) engaged the suspected armed herders in a fierce gun-battle in the area, while one soldier was also injured in the clash.

General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, the Force Commander of the OPWS made the disclosure on Monday in Makurdi while briefing journalists on the attack.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that OPWS covers Nasarawa, Taraba and Benue States.

Igbinomwanhia said that the armed herders during the attack, killed one personnel and injured another who was receiving treatment at a hospital in Makurdi.

According to him, the other troops were currently carrying out a clearance operation to flush out suspected armed foreign herders who have invaded Kwande LGA.

He alleged that those terrorising some villages in Kwande LGA were suspected armed herdsmen coming into the country through the international border line between Nigeria and Cameroon.

In another development, suspected herders killed about three persons in Kwande LGA on Sunday night.