Exercise Cat Race: Army sends message to residents over fleeing herdsmen

macfranc007 March 01, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Omotayo Yusuf

- The Nigerian army recovered some weapons in its ongoing Operation Cat Race

- It warned residents to be wary of herdsmen seeking refuge

- It explained they may be fleeing from security operatives

The Nigerian army has continued its effort to sustain peace and stability over the reported clashes between herdsmen and farmers by carrying out a thorough search in Adamwa which led to the recovery of large amount of weapons.

In a statement by Brigadier General Texas Chukwu who is the director, army public relations, the operation was carried out on Wednesday, February 28.

Some guns, spears and arrows were recovered during the Operation Cat Race.

The army also warned residents to be wary of herdsmen who might was to seek refuge in their places saying they may be fleeing from troops.

Read statement below:

"The Nigerian Army troops on Excercise AYEM AKPATUMA has continue to consolidate on the gains of the exercise as troops of 101 special Forces Battalion deployed in Numan recovered large number of weapons at Garigiji village of Adamawa State during a thorough condon and search operation on Wednesday 28 February 2018.

"It could be recalled that on Tuesday 27 February 2018 same Battalion responded to distress call to Garigiji while under attack by herdsmen and arrested 6 of the criminals trying to escape after setting the village ablaze.

"To consolidate the success of the exercise, the determine troops embark on fighting patrol to the village and conduct thorough search which led to the recovery of the weapons.

"Weapons and items recovered are:4 AK 47 assault rifles, 7 Magazines of AK 47 rifle, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special, 7 cutlasses, 3 Spears and 2 bows and arrow.

"The Nigerian Army therefore solicit for law abiding citizens to look out for fleeing herdsmen seeking for refuge in their communities as they are on the run and report promptly to nearest military or security agency."

Meanwhile, the Middle Belt Patriotic Assembly said that the ongoing military exercise is Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba is already yielding results.

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The group during a press conference in Lafia, Nasarawa state capital city on Wednesday, February 28, said the exercise in a short space of time is yielding good results.

The coordinator of the group, Omenge Frederick, while speaking to journalists said the conference was to evaluate the exercise that was recently launched by the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, to tackle the menace of herdsmen/farmers clashes, armed banditry and cattle rustling across the state.

Victims of herdsmen killing buried in Benue state on NAIJ.com TV