There were earlier reports that the military was engaged in massive killings and destruction of properties in the Konshisha area of Benue State.


The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied allegations of massive killings and destruction of houses and other properties by the military in the Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.

The denial was contained in a statement by the acting Director of Defence Information, Onyema Nwachukwu, on Friday.

There were reports of a massacre of innocent persons by the military in Konshisha town.

The Nigerian Army had also said that one of its officers and 10 soldiers were killed in Benue State during an operation.

According to a statement on Thursday by the Army spokesperson, Mohammed Yerima, the officer and soldiers were ambushed and killed in Konshisha.

Although the names of the slain officer and soldiers were not revealed, the army said they were attached to the operation Whirl Stroke.

The DHQ, in its response on Friday, said its men engaged in battle with hundreds of bandits which led to the death of 10 bandits.

It further said residents of the area fled to nearby villages knowing the consequences of killing the military personnel.

The statement also said bandits who attacked and ambushed the slain soldiers took over the abandoned houses of the villages which led to the destruction.