Ebun Francis || Men of the 707 special forces brigade of the Nigerian Army, Makurdi, Benue state on Tuesday engaged suspected herdsmen in a gun battle.
The brigade is currently on assignment in the troubled middle belt state to help bring to an end the menace of the herdsmen who killed over 70 people in a new year attack earlier in the year.
The spokesman of the brigade, Olabisi Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to Ayeni, the suspects were plotting to attack a fish farm belonging to Samuel Ortom, governor of the state.
Ayeni said two of the attackers had been arrested.
“Troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade, Nigerian Army, on a routine patrol along Gbajimba – Iyiodeh road in Guma LGA of Benue State on Tuesday 6 February 2018 arrested two Fulani militia who were suspected to be planning a dangerous mission,” he said.
“The troops sighted a group of these people while on their daily patrol. The militia who were suspected to be converging, possibly for an attack on Governor Ortom’s fish farm and other innocent citizens were about to be approached for questioning when they opened fire on the troops who later engaged them.
“When the troops accosted the herdsmen, they opened fire on the troops, who in turn engaged them in a shootout.
“In the course of the shootout, some of the herdsmen fled the area while two were arrested and handed over to the police.”