Cephas Iorhemen 
The Benue State Police Command yesterday confirmed the killing of three suspected bandits in the Sankera area of the state. The bandits were neutralised during a gun battle in communities where attacks are threatened, while others sustained injuries and escaped into nearby communities.
According to the command in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Catherine Sewuese Anene, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, men of “the Operation Zenda JTF engaged the bandits at Mbafyan, Mbachir Council ward, Kastina-Ala Local Government Area and Tse Shenge, Ukum Local Government Area in a gun duel”.
Anene said, “In the last one week, the Operation Zenda JTF teams have engaged bandits at Mbafyan, Mbachir Council ward, Kastina-Ala Local Government Area and Tse Shenge, Ukum Local Government Area in a gun dwell.
“Items recovered from them include; One Toyota Corolla, one Hummer Bus, one tricycle, 12 motorcycles and three short guns.”
She added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Hassan Steve Yabanet, who was in Kastina-Ala at the weekend, had commended officers who have been on the frontline fighting against bandits and encouraged them to remain steadfast and cooperate with the people of Sankera for useful information.
He assured the people of Sankera of his commitment to fighting banditry in the area, and advised them to be vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agents in their communities as bandits running from security agents may be violent against vulnerable people.
