Troops arrest 13 suspects, recover cattle, firearms in Benue
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 13 suspected criminals and cattle rustlers in Benue State, recovering stolen livestock and firearms in a series of coordinated operations.
The arrests were carried out by personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke as part of intensified security efforts ahead of the farming season. In a statement on Wednesday, the task force said the operations were driven by actionable intelligence and aimed at curbing threats posed by armed groups.
According to the statement, troops working alongside the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Agro Rangers apprehended four suspects along the Anyiin–Ugba road, where remnants of butchered cattle were recovered. The suspects were handed over to the police, while injured livestock received veterinary attention.
In a separate operation at Amla Icho, troops of the Forward Operation Base in Otukpo, supported by a Quick Response Group, raided a criminal hideout, arresting five suspects. Items recovered included locally made firearms, mobile phones, hard drugs, and spent cartridges.
Further clearance patrols in Mbapa and Mbabuande communities led to the arrest of four more suspects. During one encounter, an armed suspect was neutralised after attempting to seize a soldier’s weapon, while others fled.
Troops also rescued an injured herder, Idris Abubakar, and evacuated him for treatment, while three additional suspects were arrested at Zongo Akiki and handed over to authorities.
On March 24, a night patrol in Uhembe village foiled another cattle rustling attempt, with suspects abandoning stolen cattle and a vehicle, both of which were recovered.
The task force attributed the success of the operations to strong collaboration with local communities, noting that intelligence from residents played a key role.
Commander of the task force, Major General Moses Gara, reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations to ensure security, protect farming activities, and maintain stability across the state.
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