Kidnapping Now Business, Students Their Stock

Armed bandits on Thursday morning (today), reportedly killed a policeman , set ablaze houses and police station in Tse Harga, in Katsina-Ala local government Area of Benue State.

The bandits it local sources alleged, were members of a kidnap kingpin Terwase Akwaza ‘Gana’, killed by security forces.

An eye witness who confirmed the attack, said the bandits heavily armed, stormed the village about 4:00 am, and opened fire on the police station. He said, when officers of the police station escape for safety, they looted the arms of the station and set it on fire.

Local sources also disclosed, that it took the intervention of men of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), an Army security operation to drive away the bandits.

He also said that the bandits set many houses in the village on fire, stating most villagers have scampered to safety.

READ ALSO: School Abduction Goes South: Bandits Storm Edo, Kidnap Many Students, Teachers

Confirming the attack, the Katsina-Ala Council Chairman, Mr. Alfred Atera, said, “The armed bandits targeted the youth who formed themselves into a vigilante group.

“They stormed the area (Tse Harga), burn the police station, police pick-up van and killed a policeman there.

“They also burnt several houses which I cannot ascertain now. But as for the locals, nobody was killed,”

Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene, also confirmed that one officer was killed in the attack. She however said, she cannot speak further, until she gets the full information.

Nationalwatchng also learnt that about 200 ammunition, the bandits took from the Police Station were recovered by men of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), during exchange of fire. One of the bandits were also killed in the exchange of fire