Soldiers ‘kill’ 3 in Benue community

Soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have allegedly killed three people during an operation in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

Our correspondent gathered that in another separate operation by a security force (not OPWS), over 20 people were arrested one at Katsina-Ala community a few days ago.

A witness told Daily Trust on Sunday by telephone that troops had arrested more than 30 mourners in Kenvanger Mbatyula council ward in Katsina Ala LGA on November 21, 2020 and taken them away.

The witness however alleged that few days after, the lifeless body of three of those arrested were found dumped in public space.

“More than thirty people were arrested; they were mourners in the deceased compound who died of bike accident along Gbise, Atumbe Kenvanger road,” the witness alleged.

Daily Trust on Sunday however gathered from another source that the death of three persons and the arrests were separate incidents.

It was learnt that the OPWS carried out an offensive in the Katsina-Ala areas alleged to be stronghold of the late criminal kingpin, Terwase Gana, during which process three persons were killed.

But, the arrest of the mourners on the other hand was said to be carried out by another Special Forces also operating in Benue State.

“OPWS shot dead three suspected criminals and recovered one weapon,” a military source who is not authorized to speak said.

Contacted, the Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Adeyemi Yekini, said he would not speak on the matter and referred our correspondent to the Media Department of the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

At the time of sending this report, the Police Spokesperson in the state, DSP Catherine Anene, was yet to respond to telephone calls put to her.