By Paul Aondoakaa 

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) say they have neutralised a suspected armed bandit believed to have participated in the attack that resulted in the death of former Benue State Secretary to the Government, David Salifu. The military said the operation followed credible intelligence on suspected kidnappers operating near Jotar village in Benue State.

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have neutralised a suspected armed bandit believed to have been involved in the attack that led to the death of former Benue State Secretary to the Government (SSG), David Salifu.

The Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

According to the military, troops deployed from Kyado acted on credible intelligence concerning the movement of suspected kidnappers around Jotar village near the Quarantine Checkpoint on July 2.

The statement said the troops intercepted the suspected criminals before they could execute their operation, leading to a gun battle.
According to OPWS, one suspect was killed during the exchange, while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.

The military also said one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines were recovered from the scene.

OPWS stated that preliminary investigations indicate the deceased suspect belonged to the criminal gang responsible for the attack on commuters along the Wukari–Makurdi highway in which David Salifu sustained fatal gunshot injuries.

However, the military described the findings as preliminary, indicating that investigations are continuing.

Salifu, who served as Secretary to the Benue State Government under former Governor Gabriel Suswam and later lectured at the Federal University, Wukari, died on July 3 at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi.

He had reportedly come under attack on July 2 while travelling from Wukari to Makurdi after suspected kidnappers ambushed motorists along the Wukari–Zaki Biam road.

Earlier accounts from family associates and the Benue State Government said the gunmen attempted to abduct travellers before Salifu was shot during the incident. He was initially treated in Wukari before being transferred to BSUTH, where he later died.

Following the latest operation, the Force Commander of OPWS, Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to sustain offensive operations against armed criminal groups operating across Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states.

He also appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, assuring residents that information received would be treated confidentially.