Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, have arrested two herders accused of trespassing on community farmlands and destroying crops during a routine harvest-season patrol in Makurdi, Benue State.
The arrests were made on November 20, 2025, when troops stationed at Zongo Akiki intercepted the suspects after they allegedly led their cattle into cultivated farmlands belonging to local residents.
In a statement on Tuesday, the operation’s spokesperson, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, said the patrol was part of ongoing efforts to protect farmers and safeguard food security during the peak harvest period.
According to Zubairu, the troops acted swiftly after spotting the herders on the farmland, preventing further crop damage and averting a potential confrontation with local farmers. The suspects are currently in custody for investigation and possible prosecution.
The Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, praised the troops for their professionalism and urged residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
He warned that reprisals only escalate tensions and threaten peaceful coexistence. Gara also advised herders to remain law-abiding and avoid actions that undermine security and community harmony.
In a related development, PUNCH Online reported that troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 3, also operating under Operation Whirl Stroke, arrested a suspected kidnapping kingpin in Southern Taraba on November 23, 2025.
The suspect, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, was apprehended in Wukari Local Government Area while attempting to flee. He is believed to be closely associated with Umar Musa, another suspected kidnap figure arrested a day earlier.
Preliminary findings suggest both men belong to a wider criminal syndicate responsible for multiple kidnappings, violent assaults, and coordinated criminal activities across the region.
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