Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have foiled cattle rustling attempts, arrested suspects and neutralised terrorists during a series of operations conducted in Benue State.
The operations were carried out between March 3 and March 7 across parts of the state.
In a statement released on Sunday on the Nigerian Army’s X handle, the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, said the operations were conducted by troops of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion IX and other units under Operation WHIRL STROKE.
According to him, troops on routine patrol around Obagaji in Agatu Local Government Area intercepted suspected cattle rustlers following credible intelligence on their activities.
He said, “The operation was launched on March 3, 2026, after troops deployed at Obagaji received credible intelligence about suspected cattle rustling around the Omikwidi general area.”
Zubairu explained that the troops moved toward the Ologba–Egba Road and laid an ambush.
He added, “During the operation, troops intercepted a Sienna bus conveying three fully grown cows suspected to have been rustled. Three suspects were immediately arrested.”
The suspects were identified as Mamuda Hussein, 28, from Adagbo community; Sunday Moses, 35, from Obagaji village; and Teny Musa, 22, also from Obagaji.
According to Zubairu, preliminary investigations revealed that the cattle were being transported in a vehicle carrying a fake Kogi State Government registration number plate marked Kogi 2LMA 35 LG.
He said the alleged gang leader, Hussein, reportedly confessed that he had been invited to purchase the stolen cattle by two individuals identified as Dahiru and Small.
In a separate operation on March 4, troops of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion XV carried out an ambush around Abuja Village following intelligence reports about the movement of suspected terrorists in the area.
Zubairu said the troops engaged the suspects during the operation.
He stated, “During the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists. In the ensuing engagement, one armed criminal was neutralised while others fled the scene.”
He added that troops later searched the area and recovered one round of 7.62mm special ammunition from the bag of the neutralised suspect.
Zubairu further disclosed that troops stationed at Abuja Village came under attack by suspected terrorists in the early hours of March 5.
He said, “The troops responded decisively and successfully repelled the attack, forcing the assailants to withdraw. One terrorist was neutralised during the encounter.”
In another operation on March 7, troops of the Maritime Component at Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area acted on intelligence provided by a local source about suspected rustlers attempting to escape through waterways with stolen cattle.
According to Zubairu, the troops quickly mobilised to the location and intercepted the suspects attempting to flee in a boat.
He said, “Warning shots were fired, which led to the arrest of one suspect with two stolen cows inside the boat. The boat and the recovered livestock are currently in custody for further investigation.”
Meanwhile, the Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, assured residents of Benue and neighbouring states of the task force’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
He also urged members of the public to support security agencies with credible information to assist ongoing operations against criminal elements in the region.
