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Army Foils Cattle Rustling, Kills Terrorists In Benue …Rescues Two Kidnapped Bank Staff
Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE have foiled cattle rustling attempts, arrested suspects and neutralised terrorists during a series of operations in Benue State.
According to a statement posted on Army X handle, yesterday, and signed by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, the operations were carried out in parts of the state between March 3 and March 7.
Zubairu said troops of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion IX, operating under Operation WHIRL STROKE, arrested three suspected cattle rustlers and recovered stolen livestock during a routine patrol around Obagaji in Agatu Local Government Area of the State.
“The operation, which took place on March 3, 2026, was initiated after troops deployed at Obagaji received credible intelligence regarding suspected cattle rustling activities around the Omikwidi general area,” he said.
According to him, the troops moved towards the Ologba–Egba Road and deployed in an ambush position.
“During the operation, troops successfully intercepted a Sienna bus conveying three fully grown cows suspected to have been rustled. Three suspects were immediately arrested,” he said
The suspects were identified as Mamuda Hussein, 28, from Adagbo community; Sunday Moses, 35, from Obagaji village; and Teny Musa, 22, also from Obagaji.
Zubairu said preliminary investigations revealed that the cattle were being transported using a vehicle bearing a fake Kogi State Government registration number plate, Kogi 2LMA 35 LG.
He added that the suspected gang leader, Mamuda Hussein, reportedly confessed that he had been invited to purchase the rustled cattle by two individuals identified as Dahiru and Small.
In another operation on March 4, troops of COAS Intervention Battalion XV conducted an ambush at Abuja Village following intelligence on the movement of terrorists in the area.
During the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists. In the ensuing engagement, one armed criminal was neutralised while others fled the scene,” the statement said.
Zubairu said troops later searched the area and recovered one round of 7.62mm special ammunition from the bag of the neutralised suspect.
He added that on March 5 at about 1:30 a.m., troops deployed at Abuja Village came under attack by suspected terrorists.
“The troops responded decisively and successfully repelled the assault, forcing the attackers to withdraw. One terrorist was neutralised during the encounter,” he said.
In a separate operation on March 7, troops of the Maritime Component at Gbajimba acted on information from a local source in Guma Local Government Area about suspected cattle rustlers attempting to escape through waterways after stealing cows belonging to community members.
Zubairu said troops mobilised to the location and intercepted the suspects attempting to flee by boat.
“Warning shots were fired, leading to the arrest of one suspect with two stolen cows inside the boat. The boat and the recovered livestock are currently in custody for investigation and further processing,” he said.
In another development, troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke have successfully rescued two kidnap victims in Gborgbor Village, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The victims, both staff members of Unity Bank, were identified as Mr Marwan Abubakar, 40, and Mr Leng’en Cakop, 37. They were reportedly abducted in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The rescue operation followed actionable intelligence indicating the presence of terrorists and their captives in the area, the acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, stated in a statement made available to journalists, yesterday.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, OPWS troops conducted an aggressive search and rescue mission aimed at locating the terrorists and safely recovering the victims.
“Troops thoroughly searched suspected houses and locations within Gborgbor Village but initially found nothing unusual. Further intelligence indicated the kidnappers and their victims remained in the area,” the statement partly read.
Zubairu said additional troops, led by the Sub-Sector Commander, were subsequently deployed to reinforce the search. The operation extended to surrounding settlements, including Tse Anaka, putting sustained pressure on the kidnappers.
“The terrorists were forced to abandon their captives and flee. The victims were safely recovered, and a motorcycle suspected to have been used by the criminals was recovered along the route to Tse Anaka Village,” Zubairu said.
The Force Commander of OPWS, Maj. Gen. Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift response, noting that the operation highlighted the effectiveness of intelligence-led strategies in combating kidnapping and other terrorist activities.
Gara reassured residents of Benue, Taraba and neighbouring states of the Joint Task Force’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property.
He urged the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information to help dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.