The Nigerian Army has said the ongoing operation in Mbator in Shangev-Tiev of Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue where over 70 civilians have been allegedly killed was launched to apprehend the hoodlums that killed eleven Army personnel, including one officer and ten soldiers.
It however denied reports of killing and arson, noting the operation was to flush out those responsible for killing the personnel.
The Nation had reported the bodies of the officer and soldiers were found in Knoshisha after they were declared missing.
Army spokesman Brig General Muhammad Yerima told The Nation: “We are not killing people in Benue State. They know how to kill people and they are afraid not to be killed.
“We are not killing anybody, all we are doing is searching for the people that killed the soldiers and we will find the people.
“Whoever said we are killing people and destroying properties is telling lies. The report on the internet about soldiers killing people in Benue is false. We are searching for those who killed the 11 soldiers, that’s all we are doing”.
