Troops nab 10 herdsmen for destroying farmland

As the ongoing operation Ayem Akpatuma (Cat Race)in Benue and environs continued to record successes, troops of Sector 1 sub-sector A of the Nigerian Army says it have arrested 10 herdsmen for destroying farmland at Yelwata.

The Army, in a statement by its spokesman, Brig. -Gen Jude Chukwu, said the troops who were deployed to Yelwata while on routine patrol arrested ten herdsmen destroying farmland at Tse-Tigir and Tse-Ndugh villages on Monday 26 February 2018.

The statement reads: “While in the act of destroying the farmland the herdsmen sighted the aggressive troops and fled into the bush. The determine troops pursued and arrest them.

“Items recovered were: 5 motorcycles, 2 machetes, some assorted charms and the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira (N 120,000:00) only. Suspect and items were handed over to the Nigerian Police for further necessary action.

“The Nigerian Army is determined to fish out criminals and recover weapons used in killing innocent citizens. Therefore the public is please requested to cooperate and support the Army in the ongoing exercise.”

In a related development, troops of 23 Brigade deployed to Wukari on exercise Ayem Akpatuma and a team of Department of State Services operatives from Jalingo arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping and murdering of a member of Taraba House of Assembly, Hon.Hosea and Chidiebere who was later released.

The suspects are Jaka Ejukun (24years), Peter Isaga (33years) and Arachukwu Bedforth (21years).

According to a statement by Deputy Director, Col Kayode Ogunsanya also said in a followed up investigation, a raid operation was conducted on Sunday 25 February 2018 by the combined team of own troops and Department of State Services in Gbise, Kastina Ala LGA where more arrests were made.

During the operation the following suspects were arrested at various locations they are Isaiah Suwe (23 years) a Tiv by tribe from Lessel Ushongo LGA of Benue State, Amadu Barnarbas Torva (aka Atamanin) (23 years) from Gbise Kastina Ala LGA of Benue State, Aondi Teroo (21 years), Nengenen Mbaawuaga Damian (22 years), Aondoase Kayitor (18 years) and Ternenge Tersoo (19 years).

“Consequently, a total of 9 persons have been arrested in the kidnapping and murdering of Honourable Hosea Ibi. One of the suspects Amadu Barnabas Torva participated actively in kidnapping and murdering of Honourable Hosea Ibi.

“Items recovered from him include 3 Glo sim cards, 3 MTN sim cards, 2 Etisalat sim cards, 1 Airtel sim card, One Gionee Android phone, 3 Techno dual sim phones and his voter’s card.

“Other items include, 1 First Bank ATM cards without a name on it with number 5061051125350935375, 1 vigilante identity card with Taraba State Command belonging to one Mr Moses Yaro suspected to be a previous victim of the gang and flash drive.

“Suspects are presently in own custody undergoing Department of State Service interrogation. The general public is advice to remain vigilant and report movement and activities of criminals promptly to the nearest security agency,” the statement said.