Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested two individuals suspected of cattle rustling in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement on Monday by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force OPWS.
According to Zubairu, the suspects were apprehended on Sunday while troops were on their way to support police officers who had earlier engaged armed herders near Udei village.
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The two suspects, Raymond Abina (32) and Sunday Faga (21), both from Ukohol Village in Guma, were intercepted while riding a motorcycle and carrying a sack filled with freshly butchered cow meat.
“Upon questioning, the duo alleged that they purchased the meat from a Fulani herder deep within the forest,” the statement read.
However, early findings suggested the cow had been stolen from Tse Pokiau Village in the Daudu area of the same local government.
“The suspects will be handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution at the end of preliminary investigations,” Zubairu added.
Commenting on the development, OPWS Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, stressed that cattle rustling, destruction of farmland, and jungle justice are serious crimes that heighten insecurity.
He urged the public to avoid unlawful actions and promptly report criminal activity to the authorities.
“Peace and security are collective responsibilities,” he said, encouraging local communities to set up early warning systems and notify nearby security personnel of any suspicious behavior.
