Operation Whirl Stroke Benue arrests suspects over cattle rustling after deadly attack in Guma LGA, warning criminals fuelling violence

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, on 15 February 2026 responded to two separate security incidents in Guma Local Government Area, rescuing an injured herder and arresting suspects linked to cattle rustling.

Also read: NSCDC arrests three suspects in Nasarawa crime crackdown

According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer at Headquarters JTF Operation Whirl Stroke, troops were alerted to an attack on two herders at Amua Village, located between Daudu and Umenger and Ukpiam.

Upon arrival, soldiers confirmed that one herder had been killed, while the second sustained gunshot wounds. The injured victim was evacuated to Keana in neighbouring Nasarawa State for urgent medical treatment.

The body of the deceased was handed over to community representatives for burial in line with local customs.

In a related operation the same day, troops at Ukpiam acted on intelligence from local youths regarding suspected cattle rustling.

The intervention led to the arrest of a 23 year old suspect, Terngu Aondohemba, who allegedly confessed to killing two cattle belonging to Fulani herders.

The suspect reportedly named two accomplices, identified as Akpehe and Ashinge, who remain at large.

Further investigations took troops to Korje Village in Daudu, where Mercy Onban, wife of the alleged buyer of the stolen meat, was apprehended alongside recovered meat exhibits.

Both suspects are in custody pending further investigation.

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, condemned the violence and criminality, issuing a firm warning to those fuelling the cycle of attacks in the joint operations area.

Major General Gara said perpetrators would be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.

The commander also urged community leaders to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, stressing that timely intelligence sharing is vital to restoring lasting peace.