By Peter Duru

Makurdi—A police personnel attached to the joint security team in Benue State codenamed Operation Zenda and 11 others suspected to be members of a militia gang have reportedly lost their lives during a gun battle in Buruku Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the incident, which occurred near the border communities of Buruku and Ushongo local government areas started Tuesday night and spilled into, yesterday.

According to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the new militia group led by one “Baba Benue” invaded the area Tuesday evening shooting sporadically and harassing the locals.

He said: “The people of the area have overtime come under attack by the militia gang led by one ‘Baba Benue’. They came again Tuesday night and the traumatised people had to alert the Operation Zenda team, which were not too far away from the community, to come to their rescue as many were already fleeing their homes.

“The security team quickly mobilised to the scene and on sighting them, the militia gang opened fire on them and killed one of the police personnel. But the ensuing gun fight that followed left 11 members of the militia gang including their leader dead and several of them injured.

“After being overpowered, the gang members fled into the bushes but the security personnel were hot on their trail to ensure they were captured.

“As we speak, calm has returned to the axis but some persons are fleeing their home for fear of further attacks by the armed gang though there is security presence in the area.”

It was gathered that the remains of the police personnel and the 11 gang members were evacuated and moved to Makurdi, where they were deposited in a morgue.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, who confirmed the development, said she was yet to receive details of the incident.