TROOPS RECOVER ARMS IN BENUE

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Wednesday said troops operating in the North Central and North western parts of the country have recovered caches of arms and ammunition in the areas.
This is contained in a statement issued by Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the Director of Defence Information in Abuja.
``During a cordon and search operation at Anyibe in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, troops seized a cache of arms run by a young member of an armed gang.
``Two rifles, three locally fabricated pistols and 61 rounds of special ammunition were recovered during the operation....

``The arrested gang member is currently being interrogated," the statement quoted Olukolade as saying.
He said that five guns, three locally fabricated pistols and two revolvers were recovered from armed gang in a hideout in two chiefdoms in Plateau, Hukke and Reweinko.
``Other items recovered during the operation include some IED making materials, 45 live cartridges, various calibres of ammunition, bows and arrows, cutlasses, axes and diggers.
``In Kaduna state, troops had encounter with armed gangs and bandits at Kwandaga during which some casualties were recorded and lots of arms and ammunition also recovered," he said.
 Olukolade said that the operation to rid the North Central and North West parts of armed gangs is tagged: ``Operation Restore Peace" and was still in progress in various locations.
(NAN)