Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday engaged soldiers of the 707 special forces brigade of the Nigerian Army, Makurdi, Benue state in a gun battle.
The spokesman of the brigade, Olabisi Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, TheCable reported.
He said, “Troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade, Nigerian Army, on a routine patrol along Gbajimba – Iyiodeh road in Guma LGA of Benue State on Tuesday 6 February 2018 arrested two Fulani militia who were suspected to be planning a dangerous mission.
“The troops sighted a group of these people while on their daily patrol. The militia who were suspected to be converging, possibly for an attack on Governor Ortom’s fish farm and other innocent citizens were about to be approached for questioning when they opened fire on the troops who later engaged them.
“When the troops accosted the herdsmen, they opened fire on the troops, who in turn engaged them in a shootout.
“In the course of the shootout, some of the herdsmen fled the area while two were arrested and handed over to the police.”
Benue is one of the six states listed as hosts to the Nigerian Army’s 44-day campaign against insecurity.
Many residents of the state have been killed and many more displaced in recent months as a result of herdsmen/farmers clashes.
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