Troops arrest cattle rustlers, neutralise armed criminals in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested suspected cattle rustlers, recovered stolen livestock and neutralised armed criminals during a series of intelligence-led operations in Benue.
The operations were conducted by troops of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Intervention Battalions deployed under OPWS across parts of the state.
Security sources said troops of COAS Special Intervention Battalion IX arrested three suspected cattle rustlers and recovered stolen livestock during a patrol operation around Obagaji in Agatu Local Government Area.
The operation, carried out on March 3, followed credible intelligence on suspected cattle rustling activities around the Omikwidi area.
Acting on the information, troops moved towards the Ologba–Egba road and laid an ambush.
During the operation, a Sienna bus conveying three fully grown cows suspected to have been rustled was intercepted.
Three suspects were arrested and identified as Mamuda Hussein, 28, of Adagbo community; Sunday Moses, 35, of Obagaji village; and Teny Musa, 22, also of Obagaji.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the cattle were being transported using a vehicle bearing a fake Kogi State Government registration number, Kogi 2LMA 35 LG.
Sources said the suspected gang leader, Hussein, allegedly confessed that he had been invited to purchase the rustled cattle by two individuals identified as Dahiru and Small.
The suspects are currently in custody for further investigation.
In a related development on March 4, troops of COAS Intervention Battalion XV conducted an ambush operation at Abuja Village following intelligence on the movement of suspected terrorists in the area.
During the operation, troops engaged the suspects, neutralising one of them while others fled the scene.
Troops later recovered one round of 7.62mm special ammunition from the bag of the neutralised suspect.
Similarly, on March 5 at about 1:30 a.m., troops deployed at Abuja Village came under attack by suspected terrorists.
The troops responded swiftly and repelled the attack, neutralising one of the assailants while others escaped.
In another operation on March 7, troops of the Maritime Component at Gbajimba intercepted suspected cattle rustlers attempting to escape through waterways after allegedly stealing cows belonging to residents of Guma Local Government Area.
The troops, acting on information from a local source, moved to the location and intercepted the suspects attempting to flee in a boat.
Security sources said warning shots were fired, leading to the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of two stolen cows inside the boat.
The suspect, the boat and the recovered livestock are currently in custody for further investigation.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, reaffirmed the commitment of the joint task force to protecting lives and property in Benue and neighbouring states.
He urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations against criminal elements within the joint operations area.
