KEY POINTS
- Troops and police stopped an attack in Azege, Benue State.
- An AK-47 rifle, 16 rounds of ammunition and a phone were recovered.
- Security forces are searching for attackers who fled the scene.
Nigerian troops have stopped an attack by suspected armed herdsmen in Azege Village, Tombo Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The operation was carried out by troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, working with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the military, the security forces responded after receiving a distress call on August 10, 2026, reporting an attack on the Azege community.
The troops quickly moved to the area to confront the herdsmen and protect residents.
The military said the troops encountered the suspected herdsmen after arriving in the community. A gunfight followed between the security forces and the armed group.
According to the statement issued by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer at the headquarters of JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, the troops overpowered the attackers through superior firepower.
The suspected herdsmen then fled from the area in different directions. The troops reportedly pursued the fleeing attackers as part of efforts to prevent them from regrouping or carrying out further attacks in the area.
During the operation, the troops discovered one suspected armed herder who had been neutralised. The military did not provide further details about the identity of the individual.
Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force later evacuated the remains from the scene. The operation also resulted in the recovery of a firearm, ammunition and a mobile phone believed to be connected to the attackers.
AK-47 and ammunition recovered
The security forces recovered one AK-47 rifle from the scene. They also recovered one magazine containing 16 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
A Nokia mobile phone was also found during the operation. The military said all the recovered items had been secured by security personnel.
The recovery of the rifle and ammunition is expected to assist ongoing efforts to identify and track other members of the group who escaped after the confrontation.
The military said efforts were still underway to locate and arrest the other suspected members of the group who fled during the operation.
Security personnel are expected to continue operations in the area as they work to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among residents.
The latest incident comes amid continued security concerns in parts of Benue State, where communities have faced attacks involving armed groups.
The military said the operation showed the importance of responding quickly to distress calls, particularly in communities considered vulnerable to attacks.
The Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE praised the troops involved in the operation for what it described as their tactical resilience.
The task force also commended the Nigeria Police Force for its support and cooperation during the operation.
The joint response between the military and police allowed the security agencies to respond quickly to the reported attack and confront the suspected assailants.
The military said such cooperation remains important in dealing with security threats across Benue State.
The task force urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to cooperate with security agencies.
It encouraged members of the community to provide timely information about suspicious movements and activities that could pose a threat to residents.
The military said information from local communities can help security agencies respond faster to potential attacks and track suspects.
The latest operation is therefore expected to support wider efforts to improve security in Logo Local Government Area and other vulnerable parts of Benue State.