Troops arrest two suspected cattle rustlers in Benue

Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested two suspects for cattle rustling and the alleged killing of herders in Benue State.

This is contained in a statement issued by the acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, which was made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Monday.

Zubairu said that troops of OPWS swiftly responded to two separate security incidents in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

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The statement read, “On 15 February 2026, Operation WHIRL STROKE troops were informed that two herders had been attacked at Amua Village, located within the expanse of land stretching from Daudu to Umenger/Ukpiam in Guma LGA.

“The OPWS spokesman said that at the time troops arrived at the scene, one harder was found dead and the second harder sustained a gunshot injury.

“On arrival, it was confirmed that the attack led to the death of one herder, while the second victim sustained gunshot wounds. The injured herder was immediately evacuated to Keana in neighbouring Nasarawa State for urgent medical treatment.

“The remains of the deceased were subsequently handed over to community representatives for burial in accordance with local customs.”

Zubairu further said that the same day, troops stationed at Ukpiam acted on intelligence provided by vigilant youths who arrested a 23-year-old cattle rustler.

“The troops working on credible information moved swiftly, leading to the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect, Mr Terngu Aondohemba, who reportedly confessed to killing two cattle belonging to Fulani herders.

“He also implicated two accomplices, identified as Mr Akpehe and Ashinge, who are currently at large,” it added.

Zubairu said that further investigation led troops to Korje Village in Daudu, where a woman identified as Mrs Mercy Onban, wife of the alleged buyer of the stolen meat, was apprehended alongside the recovered meat exhibits.

He said the two suspects were in custody pending further investigation.

The Force Commander Joint Task Force, Major General Moses Gara, reaffirmed the commitment of Operation Whirl Stroke to halting the incessant killings of innocent persons and cattle rustling in the Joint Operations Area.

He, however, condemned the violence and criminality, warning that perpetrators would be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.

The troops commander further called on community leaders to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, emphasising that timely intelligence sharing remains critical to restoring lasting peace.

He reassured law-abiding residents of the strong resolve of the Joint Task Force to safeguard lives and property across the region.