Troops of Operation Enduring Peace, OPEP, have neutralised a suspected bandits following an attack on security personnel during a clearance operation in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

This was made known in a post on X by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region.

Zagazola stated that the operation was conducted at about 7:00 a.m. on June 26 following credible reports on the activities of armed livestock rustlers around the Gero high grounds in Jos South LGA.

He noted that during the operation, the troops intercepted a herd of cattle allegedly grazing on cultivated farmland.

According to him, the troops came under sporadic gunfire from suspected militia shortly after the interception.

He added that troops responded by holding their position and calling for reinforcements.

The security expert further revealed that additional troops from Sector 3 at Rafin Bauna, alongside other reinforcements led by the Commander of Sector 6, swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the attackers in a firefight.

“During the encounter, one suspected bandit was neutralised, while others fled the scene.

A search of the area led to the recovery of two mobile phones and the sum of N14,000, believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing suspects.

“The intercepted cattle were moved to a safe location for further necessary action.

“Troops have continued clearance operations and domination patrols across the area to forestall further attacks and deny criminal elements freedom of action in Plateau State,” he said.