Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE have rescued an injured herder and arrested cattle rustling suspects fueling cycle of violence in Benue State. Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, HQ JTF operation WHIRL STROKE, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, February 16, 2026. According to the statement, on February 15, troops responded to an attack on herders at Amua Village, located between Daudu and Umenger/Ukpiam. The attack left one herder dead, while another sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to Keana in neighbouring Nasarawa State for urgent medical attention. The remains of the deceased were handed over to community representatives for burial according to local customs. In a related operation on the same day, troops stationed at Ukpiam acted on intelligence provided by vigilant youths concerning suspected cattle rustling. The troops arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Terngu Aondohemba, who reportedly confessed to k!lling two cattle belonging to Fulani herders. He also implicated two accomplices, Akpehe and Ashinge, who are still at large. Further investigation led security operatives to Korje Village in Daudu, where Mrs. Mercy Onban. “Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE swiftly responded to two separate breaches of security incidents in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, the statement read. “In the first case, troops rescued an injured herder and further successfully arrested suspects linked to cattle rustling. “On 15 February 2026, Operation WHIRL STROKE troops were intimated that two herders had been attacked at Amua Village, located within the expanse of land stretching from Daudu to Umenger/Ukpiam in Guma LGA. “Troops deployed at Umenger promptly mobilised to the scene. On arrival, it was confirmed that the attack led to the d3ath of one herder, while the second victim sustained gunshot wounds. “The injured herder was immediately evacuated to Keana in neighbouring Nasarawa State for urgent medical treatment. “The remains of the deceased was subsequently handed over to community representatives for burial in accordance with local customs. In a related development on the same day, troops stationed at Ukpiam acted on intelligence provided by vigilant youths concerning suspected cattle rustling activities. “The troops moved swiftly, leading to the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect, Mr Terngu Aondohemba, who reportedly confessed to killing two cattle belonging to Fulani herders. “He also implicated two accomplices, identified as Mr Akpehe and Ashinge, who are currently at large. “Further investigation led troops to Korje Village in Daudu, where Mrs Mercy Onban, wife of the alleged buyer of the stolen meat, was apprehended alongside the recovered meat exhibits. Both suspects remain in custody pending further investigation. The Force Commander Joint Task Force, Major General Moses Gara, reaffirmed the commitment of Operation WHIRL STROKE to halting incessant k!llings of innocent persons and cattle rustling in the Joint Operations Area. He condemned the violence and criminality, warning that perpetrators would be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice. Major General Gara further called on community leaders to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, emphasising that timely intelligence sharing remains critical to restoring lasting peace. He reassured law-abiding residents of the strong resolve of the Joint Task Force to safeguard lives and property across the region.Security sources said that on Feb. 15, troops responded to an attack on herders at Amua Village, located between Daudu and Umenger/Ukpiam. The attack left one herder dead, while another sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to Keana in neighbouring Nasarawa State for urgent medical attention. The remains of the deceased were handed over to community representatives for burial according to local customs.In a related operation on the same day, troops stationed at Ukpiam acted on intelligence provided by vigilant youths concerning suspected cattle rustling. The troops arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Terngu Aondohemba, who reportedly confessed to killing two cattle belonging to Fulani herders. He also implicated two accomplices, Akpehe and Ashinge, who are still at large.Further investigation led security operatives to Korje Village in Daudu, where Mrs. Mercy Onban,
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