In a sustained initiative to mitigate criminal activities and enhance security measures across Benue State, troops from the Joint Task Force (JTF), under Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have apprehended two individuals suspected of engaging in cattle theft during a patrol conducted in the Guma Local Government Area.
The operation, executed on Saturday, July 6, was part of a reinforcement strategy for the Nigeria Police, who had previously encountered armed herders in the vicinity of Udei Village. During their patrol, the troops intercepted two men, identified as Raymond Abina (32 years old) and Sunday Faga (21 years old), both residents of Ukohol Village within Guma LGA.
The suspects were found on a motorcycle transporting a sack containing freshly butchered cow meat. Upon inquiry, they asserted that the meat had been acquired from a Fulani herder within the forest. However, preliminary investigations indicated that the meat was connected to a cow reported missing from Tse Pokiau Village, located near Daudu.
Major General Moses Gara, the OPWS Commander, stated that the suspects will be transferred to the appropriate authorities for prosecution following the completion of initial investigations. He condemned the increasing incidents of cattle theft and the phenomenon of jungle justice, characterizing these acts as significant threats to security in the state. He urged the community to reject criminality and to collaborate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities and refraining from self-reliant measures.
General Gara also called upon traditional leaders, youth representatives, and religious figures to promote peaceful coexistence and lawful conflict resolution across various ethnic groups. He emphasized that “peace is a shared responsibility” and encouraged communities to establish early warning systems and work alongside authorities to achieve long-lasting peace.
Furthermore, General Gara reaffirmed Operation WHIRL STROKE's commitment to neutralizing threats and maintaining law and order within its areas of jurisdiction. He also appealed to the media to contribute to peacebuilding efforts by promoting responsible journalism and fostering public trust in legal institutions.
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