Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested three armed suspects in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, following a wave of renewed killings that have shaken local communities. The arrests come in the wake of coordinated attacks that left several farmers dead and heightened tensions across the region.
According to military sources, the suspects were apprehended during a targeted operation aimed at restoring peace and curbing the activities of criminal elements believed to be responsible for the recent violence. The operation was launched after reports of attacks on the Otobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area, where 11 residents were reportedly killed by suspected herdsmen.
“Our troops responded swiftly to intelligence reports and successfully arrested three armed individuals suspected to be involved in the killings,” said a spokesperson for OPWS. “We remain committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to pursue those who threaten the peace of Benue State.”
The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation. Authorities have confirmed that weapons were recovered during the operation, and investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement in the attacks.
Local leaders and residents have expressed relief at the arrests but continue to call for increased security presence and long-term solutions to the recurring violence in the state. The Benue State Government has also condemned the killings and urged federal authorities to intensify efforts to secure rural communities.
“We cannot allow our people to live in fear. These arrests are a step in the right direction, but more must be done,” said a senior official in the Benue State Ministry of Internal Security.
Operation Whirl Stroke, a joint military task force, has been active in the North Central region of Nigeria, tackling banditry, communal clashes, and insurgent threats. The recent arrests underscore the ongoing challenges faced by security agencies in maintaining stability in conflict-prone areas.