Troops arrest two suspected cattle rustlers in Benue

Troops Apprehend Suspects in Benue State Cattle Rustling Incident

Joint Task Force troops operating under Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested two individuals linked to cattle rustling and the alleged killing of herders in Benue State.

The operation was detailed in a statement from Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, provided to journalists in Makurdi on Monday.

Zubairu reported that personnel responded to two separate security incidents in Guma Local Government Area. On February 15, 2026, troops were alerted to an attack on two herders at Amua Village, situated between Daudu and Umenger/Ukpiam.

Upon arrival, soldiers found one herder deceased and another with gunshot wounds. The injured herder was transported to Keana in the neighboring Nasarawa State for urgent medical care. The remains of the deceased were handed over to local representatives for burial.

On the same day, troops in Ukpiam acted on intelligence from local youths, leading to the apprehension of a 23-year-old suspect, Terngu Aondohemba, who allegedly confessed to killing two cattle owned by Fulani herders. He also named two accomplices, identified as Akpehe and Ashinge, who are currently at large.

Zubairu added that follow-up investigations led operatives to Korje Village in Daudu, where they arrested Mercy Onban, a woman believed to be the spouse of the buyer of the stolen meat, and seized the meat as evidence. Both suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

Moses Gara, the Force Commander of the Joint Task Force, emphasized Operation Whirl Stroke’s commitment to combating ongoing violence and cattle rustling in the region. He condemned the criminal acts and warned that offenders would face relentless pursuit and prosecution.

Gara urged community leaders to enhance their cooperation with security agencies, noting that timely and accurate information is crucial for achieving lasting peace. He reassured law-abiding residents of the task force’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property in the region.

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