2 suspected cattle thieves arrested in Benue
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in Benue State have apprehended two suspected cattle thieves during a coordinated reinforcement operation in Guma Local Government Area of the state. Acting Media Information Officer of HQ JTF Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, in a statement made available to our correspondent in […]
the suspects
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in Benue State have apprehended two suspected cattle thieves during a coordinated reinforcement operation in Guma Local Government Area of the state.
Acting Media Information Officer of HQ JTF Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, in a statement made available to our correspondent in Makurdi yesterday, noted that the troops intercepted the suspects while en-route to reinforce the police, who had earlier encountered armed herders at the outskirts of Udei village on July 6, 2025.
He stated that the troops arrested the two individuals identified as Raymond Abina (32) and Sunday Faga (21), both from Ukohol village in Guma LGA.
Zubairu explained that the suspects were caught riding a motorcycle and attempting to exit the bush with a sack containing what was later confirmed to be freshly butchered cow meat.
Upon questioning, the duo claimed to have purchased the meat from a herder in the forest.
However, according to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that the meat had been sourced illegally from a stolen cow, reported missing in Tse Pokiau village within the Daudu area of the same local government.
He said that the suspects would be handed over to the appropriate agency for prosecution upon conclusion of preliminary investigations.
Meanwhile, the Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, while addressing the incident, condemned what he described as a “disturbing trend.”
He stressed that cattle theft, destruction of farmlands, and all forms of jungle justice constitute criminal enterprises fuelling insecurity in the state.