Troops thwart livestock theft, neutralize militants in Benue state

Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have thwarted an attempt at cattle rustling and eliminated two terrorists in Abuja Community, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue.

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Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters, OPWS, revealed this information in a statement issued on Sunday in Makurdi.

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According to Zubairu, on March 3, troops of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Intervention Battalion IX, operating under OPWS, apprehended three suspected cattle rustlers and recovered stolen livestock during a routine patrol operation around Obagaji in Agatu Local Government area of Benue.

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The suspects were taken into custody after troops received credible intelligence regarding suspected cattle rustling activities around the Omikwidi general area, prompting them to deploy in ambush position along the Ologba–Egba road.

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During the operation, troops successfully intercepted a Sienna bus conveying three fully grown cows suspected to have been rustled, and immediately arrested three suspects, identified as Mamuda Hussein, 28, a native of Adagbo community; Sunday Moses, 35, from Obagaji village; and Teny Musa, 22, also from Obagaji.

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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, and the suspects' gang leader, Mamuda Hussein, reportedly confessed that he was invited to purchase the rustled cattle by two individuals identified as Dahiru and Small.

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The suspects are currently in custody for further investigation and necessary action, according to Zubairu.

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In a separate operation, Zubairu stated that troops of COAS Intervention Battalion XV conducted an ambush operation at Abuja Village, Agatu Local Government on March 4, following intelligence on terrorist movement within the area, and one armed criminal was neutralised while others fled the scene.

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During the search of the area, the troops recovered one round of 7.62mm special ammunition from the bag of the neutralised suspect.

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On March 5, troops deployed at the same Abuja Village came under attack by suspected terrorists, but the troops responded decisively and successfully repelled the assault, forcing the attackers to withdraw, while one terrorist was neutralised during the encounter.

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Additionally, on March 7, OPWS troops at the Maritime Component, Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area, intercepted suspected cattle rustlers attempting to escape by boat with cows, and warning shots were fired, leading to the arrest of one suspect with two stolen cows inside the boat.

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The boat and the recovered livestock are currently in custody for investigation and further processing, according to Zubairu.

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The Force Commander (FC) OPWS, Maj. Gen. Moses Gara, has reassured residents of Benue and neighbouring states that the Joint Task Force remains committed to protecting lives and property.

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Gara also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations against criminal elements within the Joint Operations Area.