Troops arrest herders over farm destruction, encroachment in Makurdi

— As Military Reaffirms Commitment to Peace in Benue State as Force Commander Ops Whirl Stroke visits Recently Attacked Otukpo-Nobi Community

By: Kingsley Omonobi

Troops of the Maritime Component under Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke  (JTF OPWS) have arrested suspected herders for encroaching and destroying cultivated farmlands in Makurdi, Benue State, reaffirming the JTF’s zero tolerance for criminality.

Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, while disclosing this on Tuesday, said, “On 18 July 2026, troops of the Maritime Component Operation Whirl Stroke, operating from the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) Jetty, responded to a distress call from farmers at Lower Benue Basin, Ejaha London, Makurdi.

“The Farmers reported that suspected Fulani herders had driven cattle into their farms, causing extensive damage to crops.

“The troops immediately mobilised to the location, where they found cattle grazing freely on cultivated farmland.

“Crops destroyed included rice, maize, okro and tomatoes.

“On sighting the troops, the herders abandoned the cattle and attempted to flee the scene.

“The suspects were subsequently apprehended and handed over to the 401 Provost Group for further investigation and handover to relevant agencies for prosecution over alleged farm encroachment and malicious grazing.

“The Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, warned against criminal activities that are capable of escalating tensions leading to violent conflicts.

Major General Gara reiterated that OPWS maintains zero tolerance for criminality and other unlawful activities, while urging residents to promptly report suspicious or illegal activities to security agencies for swift intervention.

In a similar vein, the Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, on 15 July 2026, conducted an operational visit to the recently attacked Otukpo-Nobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State to assess the security situation, reassure residents and strengthen ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace.

Accompanied by Principal Staff Officers, Commanding Officers and Component Commanders, the Force Commander met with community leaders, youths and other stakeholders to obtain first-hand information required to support ongoing operations aimed at identifying and apprehending those responsible for the attack.

Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, said the visit commenced with a condolence call on retired Major General HOU Adoga (Retd) at his residence in Upu, where the Force Commander sympathized with the affected families before proceeding to Otukpo-Nobi for a peace and security meeting with community elders and youths.

Addressing the gathering, Major General Gara expressed heartfelt condolences over the loss of lives and assured residents that troops would relentlessly pursue the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice.

He further reassured the people that no criminal element would be allowed to force them from their ancestral homes, urging them to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information.

Community representatives alleged that suspected armed criminals had repeatedly destroyed farmlands, uprooted yam and cassava crops, threatened farmers with sophisticated weapons, and were believed to be operating from the Amla Icho area.

An attempt to access Amla Icho for further operational assessment was hindered by difficult terrain, which bogged down several vehicles.

The Force Commander later visited the Area Commander, Otukpo Area Command, ACP KO Ugochukwu, to reinforce inter-agency collaboration in tackling insecurity across the area.

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