Dare Babalola
Security forces under Operation WHIRL STROKE have thwarted cattle rustling attempts, arrested suspects, and neutralised terrorists in multiple operations across Benue State.
The Acting Media Information Officer, HQ JTF Op WHIRL STROKE, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed in a statement on Sunday via Army X handle that the operations took place across the state from March 3 and 7.
According to Zubairu, soldiers from the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion IX, operating under WHIRL STROKE, nabbed 3 alleged cattle rustlers and retrieved stolen animals in Obagaji, Agatu Local Government Area, during a routine patrol.
“The operation, which took place on March 3, 2026, was initiated after troops deployed at Obagaji received credible intelligence regarding suspected cattle rustling activities around the Omikwidi general area,” he said.
According to him, the troops moved towards the Ologba–Egba Road and deployed in an ambush position.
“During the operation, troops successfully 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.
Zubairu said preliminary investigations revealed that the cattle were being transported using a vehicle bearing a fake Kogi State Government registration number plate, Kogi 2LMA 35 LG.
He added that the suspected gang leader, Mamuda Hussein, reportedly confessed that he had been invited to purchase the rustled cattle by two individuals identified as Dahiru and Small.
In another operation on March 4, troops of COAS Intervention Battalion XV conducted an ambush at Abuja Village following intelligence on the movement of terrorists in the area.
“During the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists. In the ensuing engagement, one armed criminal was neutralised while others fled the scene,” the statement said.
Zubairu said troops later searched the area and recovered one round of 7.62mm special ammunition from the bag of the neutralised suspect.
He added that on March 5 at about 1:30 a.m., troops deployed at Abuja Village came under attack by suspected terrorists.
“The troops responded decisively and successfully repelled the assault, forcing the attackers to withdraw. One terrorist was neutralised during the encounter,” he said.
In another operation on March 7, Maritime Component troops at Gbajimba responded to intel from a local source in Guma LGA, stopping suspected rustlers from escaping by boat with stolen cows from the community.
Zubairu said troops mobilised to the location and intercepted the suspects attempting to flee by boat.
“Warning shots were fired, leading to the arrest of one suspect with two stolen cows inside the boat. The boat and the recovered livestock are currently in custody for investigation and further processing,” he said.
The Force Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, reassured residents of Benue and neighbouring states of the task force’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
He called on the public to keep sharing timely and credible information with security agencies, to aid the fight against criminals in the joint operations area.
