Troops of the Joint Task Force under Operation Whirl Stroke have intensified security operations in Benue State, arresting suspected cattle rustlers, recovering stolen livestock and neutralising armed criminals during a series of intelligence-led missions.
The operations were carried out by troops of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalions deployed under the joint security task force across parts of the state
This was contained in a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer HQ JTF operation Whirl Stroke, Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, on Saturday night.
According to the statement, soldiers of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion IX arrested three suspected cattle rustlers and recovered stolen livestock during a patrol around Obagaji in Agatu Local Government Area.
The arrests followed credible intelligence received on March 3, 2026, about cattle rustling activities around the Omikwidi area. Acting on the information, troops moved towards the Ologba–Egba road where they laid an ambush.
During the operation, the soldiers intercepted a Sienna bus transporting three fully grown cows suspected to have been rustled. Three suspects were arrested at the scene.
The suspects were identified as Mamuda Hussein, 28, from Adagbo community; Sunday Moses, 35, from Obagaji village; and Teny Musa, 22, also from Obagaji.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were transporting the cattle using a vehicle bearing a fake Kogi State Government registration number plate, Kogi 2LMA 35 LG.
Security sources said the suspected gang leader, Hussein, reportedly confessed that he was 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 separate operation on March 4, troops of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion XV conducted an ambush at Abuja Village following intelligence on the movement of suspected terrorists.
Troops engaged the suspects during the operation, neutralising one armed criminal while others fled the area. A round of 7.62mm special ammunition was later recovered from the bag of the neutralised suspect.
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The following day, March 5, troops stationed at Abuja Village came under attack by suspected terrorists at about 1:30 a.m. Soldiers responded swiftly, repelling the assault and forcing the attackers to retreat. One terrorist was killed during the encounter.
In another operation on March 7, troops of the maritime component of Operation Whirl Stroke intercepted suspected cattle rustlers attempting to escape through waterways at Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area.
Acting on information from a local source, troops mobilised to the location and intercepted the suspects trying to flee by boat with two stolen cows. After firing warning shots, one suspect was arrested while the livestock and boat were recovered.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Moses Gara, assured residents of Benue and neighbouring states that the task force remains committed to protecting lives and property.
He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to tackle criminal activities within the joint operations area.
