JOINT Military Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke on Monday arrested seven persons in connection with the killings of over 13 persons in Ukpogo community of Edikwu district in the Apa local government area of Benue State.

It was gathered that the suspects were arrested with sophisticated weapons in the area following credible information obtained from the locals.

Recall that suspected gunmen had on August 10, 2020 invaded the Ukpogo community and killed 13 persons, leaving several others injured with wanton destruction of houses and other properties.

The attack was linked to the aged long chieftaincy dispute in the community.

According to one of the locals, who identified himself as Eko, some leaders in the community, who had been assisting soldiers in the community, passed information to the troops when they sighted one of the suspects.

Eko said that the community leaders passed information to the troops, who immediately swung into action and trailed the militant to Amoke.

He added that in the process, the troops arrested five of the militants with sophisticated weapons.

“It was when these people were arrested that one of them led the troops to their hideout in Ugbokpo town, leading to the arrest of two more persons.”

When contacted, the Force Commander of OPWS, Maj. Gen. Adeyemi Yekini, said he could not comment on the arrest of the suspected militias and referred journalists to the Defence Headquarters Information Department.

Also contacted, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Catherine Anene, said she had yet to be briefed on the arrest of the suspects.