Operation Whirl Stroke troops have arrested two herdsmen for allegedly driving their livestock onto community farmlands and destroying crops in Makurdi, Benue State.
The incident took place on November 20 during a routine farm protection patrol carried out by OPWS personnel stationed at Zongo Akiki.
According to Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu of the Joint Task Force Headquarters, the troops acted quickly after spotting the herders and their livestock on cultivated land owned by local farmers.
He said the quick response prevented further damage and helped avert a possible clash between the herders and the farming community. The two suspects are now in custody while investigations continue and legal measures are prepared.
Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, praised the troops for their professionalism and called on residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands during disputes. He noted that retaliation or violence only worsens tensions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
Gara also warned herdsmen to obey the law and avoid actions that endanger security. He reaffirmed the operation’s commitment to protecting agricultural lands and ensuring a safe environment for agriculture and other legal activities.