Troops of Sector 1 Sub-Sector A of the Nigerian Army say they have arrested 10 herdsmen for destroying farms at Yelwata as the military maintained that Exercise Ayem Akpatuma (Cat Race) has continued to record feats in Benue State.
The Army, in a statement by its spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Jude Chukwu, said the troops, while on routine patrol, arrested 10 herdsmen destroying farmland at Tse-Tigir and Tse-Ndugh villages on Monday, February 26, 2018.
The release reads: “While in the act of destroying the farmland, the herdsmen sighted the aggressive troops and fled into the bush. The determine troops chased and arrested them.
“Items recovered were five motorcycles, two machetes, some assorted charms and the sum of one hundred and twenty thousand naira (N 120,000) only. Suspects and items were handed over to the Nigerian Police Force for further action.
“The Nigerian Army is determined to fish out criminals and recover weapons used in killing innocent citizens. Therefore, the public is requested to cooperate and support the Army in the ongoing exercise.”
In a related development, troops of 23 Brigade deployed to Wukari on same military exercise and a team of the Department of State Services (DSS) from Jalingo arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of a member of the Taraba House of Assembly, Hosea Ibi.
The suspects are Jaka Ejukun (24); Peter Isaga (33) and 21-year-old Arachukwu Bedforth.
In a statement, Col. Kayode Ogunsanya said the move was a result of a detailed investigation, culminating in their arrest in a raid on Sunday, February 25, 2018 by the combined team of own troops and Department of State Services in Gbise, Kastina Ala council area where more arrests were made.
He said: “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 Ataman in) (23) from Gbise Katsina Ala LGA of Benue State; Aondi Teroo (21 years); Nengenen Mbaawuaga Damian (22 years); Aondoase Kayitor (18) and Ternenge Tersoo (19).
“Consequently, a total of nine persons have been arrested for the murder of Ibi. One of the suspects, Amadu Barnabas Torva, participated actively in the incident.
“Items recovered from him include three Glo sim cards, three MTN sim cards, two Etisalat sim cards, one Airtel sim, one Gionee Android phone, three Tecno dual sim phones and his voter’s card.”