Suspected cattle rustlers arrested in Benue
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested two suspects over alleged cattle rustling in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The arrests reportedly followed intelligence provided by local youths on Sunday about suspected cattle rustling activities around Ukpiam community of Guma LGA. A statement issued on Monday by the OPWS Acting Media Information […]
FILE PHOTO. Nigerian soldiers
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested two suspects over alleged cattle rustling in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The arrests reportedly followed intelligence provided by local youths on Sunday about suspected cattle rustling activities around Ukpiam community of Guma LGA.
A statement issued on Monday by the OPWS Acting Media Information Officer, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, noted that acting on the tip-off, troops swiftly moved to the area and apprehended a 23-year-old suspect, Terngu Aondohemba.
He explained that the suspect reportedly confessed to killing two cattle belonging to herders and named two accomplices, identified as Akpehe and Ashinge, who are currently at large.
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Zubairu further noted that investigation led troops to Korje Village in Daudu, where Mercy Onban, wife of the alleged buyer of the stolen meat, was arrested.
He said that the recovered meat exhibits were also secured during the operation, adding that both suspects are currently in custody pending further investigation.
In a related development, he said that troops also responded to an earlier attack on two herders at Amua Village, located between Daudu and Umenger/Ukpiam in Guma LGA.
Zubairu said that one of the victims was killed, while the other sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to Keana in neighbouring Nasarawa State for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, reaffirmed the commitment of the Joint Task Force to tackling cattle rustling and other criminal activities in the joint operations area.
He warned perpetrators to desist, stating that troops would continue to pursue those threatening peace and security in the state.
The force commander also urged community leaders and residents to sustain collaboration with security agencies through timely intelligence sharing to support ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace.