Troops arrest 7 suspects in Benue, Taraba border

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested seven suspects during intensified security patrols across the borders of Benue and Taraba states. The troops also apprehended a suspected informant among the seven, who is linked to a notorious kidnapper involved in criminal activities along the borders of both states. Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the Acting Media […]

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested seven suspects during intensified security patrols across the borders of Benue and Taraba states.

The troops also apprehended a suspected informant among the seven, who is linked to a notorious kidnapper involved in criminal activities along the borders of both states.

Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, said on Wednesday that the arrests were made on October 31, 2025, during a fighting and confidence-building patrol conducted by troops deployed at Camp Zaki-Biam in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

He explained that, acting on credible intelligence, the soldiers stormed Wukari Junction where they apprehended four suspects identified as Ter’Ese Ioryenmen (34); Oanduna Oruman (37); Shaagba Dominic (27); and Solomon Kortya (30).

He noted that preliminary investigations revealed that one of the suspects was an informant to a notorious kidnapper identified simply as Mathew.

The OPWS spokesman listed items recovered from the suspects to include a motorcycle, one master key, four mobile phones, some unidentified drugs, and N19,500 in cash.

He added that in a separate operation the same day, troops deployed at Tor Donga in Katsina-Ala LGA, working with the Benue State Community Protection Guards (BSCPG), acted on intelligence from a local source and apprehended three suspects robbing commuters along Mbache Road in Mbache Council Ward.

He named the suspects as Aondohenba Godwin (35); Dooron Washina (19); and Terkuma Zahemen (15), stating that they were found with a paper-constructed toy pistol, nine mobile phones, a solar panel, and four MP3 speakers.

Zubairu added that the suspects are currently in custody pending further investigation.

Force Commander, OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift action, urging them to sustain the tempo of operations against kidnappers, robbers, and other criminal elements across the operation zones.