Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke have foiled a cattle rustling attempt and killed two suspected terrorists during a series of operations carried out in Agatu and Guma Local Government Areas of Benue State.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Makurdi by the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu.
According to him, troops of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion IX operating under Operation Whirl Stroke arrested three suspected cattle rustlers and recovered stolen livestock during a routine patrol conducted on March 3 around Obagaji in Agatu Local Government Area.
Zubairu said the troops received credible intelligence indicating suspected cattle rustling activities around the Omikwidi general area and immediately moved towards the Ologba–Egba road where they deployed in an ambush position.
During the operation, the troops intercepted a Sienna bus conveying three fully grown cows suspected to have been rustled. Three suspects were arrested at the scene and were identified as Mamuda Hussein, 28, a native of Adagbo community, Sunday Moses, 35, from Obagaji village, and Teny Musa, 22, also from Obagaji.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the cattle were being transported using a vehicle bearing a fake Kogi State government registration number plate marked Kogi 2LMA 35 LG.
Zubairu said the suspected gang leader, Mamuda 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 while further investigations are ongoing.
In a separate operation, troops of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion XV conducted an ambush operation on March 4 at Abuja Village in Agatu Local Government Area following intelligence reports on terrorist movement within the area.
The troops made contact with the suspected terrorists during the operation and one armed criminal was neutralised while others fled the scene. A search of the area led to the recovery of one round of 7.62mm special ammunition from the bag of the neutralised suspect.
Zubairu further disclosed that on March 5, troops deployed at the same Abuja Village came under attack by suspected terrorists but responded decisively and successfully repelled the assault, forcing the attackers to withdraw. One terrorist was also neutralised during the encounter.
In another related operation carried out on March 7, troops attached to the Maritime Component of Operation Whirl Stroke at Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area intercepted suspected cattle rustlers attempting to escape with stolen livestock through the river.
Acting on intelligence, the troops mobilised to the location and intercepted the suspects who were trying to flee in a boat with cows. Warning shots were fired, leading to the arrest of one suspect who was found with two stolen cows inside the boat.
The boat and the recovered livestock are currently in custody as investigations continue.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, reassured residents of Benue State and neighbouring areas that the Joint Task Force remains committed to protecting lives and property across the joint operations area.
He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts aimed at tackling criminal activities and restoring peace in the affected communities.
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