During the February 25 presidential and national assembly elections, troops deployed in Kogi arrested eight political thugs and recovered three pump action guns, two locally manufactured AK 47 rifles, six locally manufactured assorted guns, and two daggers.
At the biweekly news briefing on the activities of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, Director, Defence Media Operations, informed journalists that the alleged political thugs and their weapons had been found at Okehi Local Government Area of the state.
The thugs were apprehended while attempting to obstruct the local election, according to the spokesperson for Defence Headquarters.
Additionally, he disclosed that on February 26, Operation Safe Haven troops had detained five individuals suspected of cattle rustling and found 35 rustled cattle in the village of Lobirin, located in the Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of the Plateau.
He added that the troops also on March 4, responded to an attack on Angwan Lilu in Royom Local Government Area of Plateau and engaged the criminals in a fire fight.
He said the encounter led to the recovery of several weapons from the criminals who fled.
In Benue, Danmadami said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke conducted a raid operation to Utange village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, neutralizing two bandits and recovered cache of arms and other sundry items.
“In the same vein, troops conducted fighting to within Zaki-Biam town in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area and arrested seven terrorists.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that suspects have been involved in criminal activities within the local government area.
“Troops also recovered AK47 rifle, 19 locally made pistol, one dane gun, two machetes and four mobile phones from the terrorists.
“Accordingly, within the weeks in focus, troops in the North Central Zone recovered five AK47 rifles, three pump action guns,19 locally fabricated pistol and three dane gun,” he said.
According to him, six locally made assorted rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 17 empty cases of 7.62mm ammunition, two machetes, two wrist watches, seven mobile phones and 35 rustled cattle were recovered.
“Troops also neutralized two terrorists and arrested seven suspected terrorist as well as eight political thugs.
“All recovered items, arrested terrorists have been handed over to relevant authority for further action,” he said.
