Troops arrest 10 herders ‘caught destroying farms’ in Benue

Ten herdsmen who were allegedly destroying farmland in Tse-Tigir and Tse-Ndugh villages in Benue state have been arrested by troops.

The troops were deployed to Yelwata under the ongoing “Exercise Ayem Akpatuma” (cat race).

Texas Chukwu, director, army public relations, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

He said the suspects fled into the bush when they sighted the troops.

“While in the act of destroying the farmland, the herdsmen sighted the aggressive troops and fled into the bush,” he said.

“The determined troops pursued and arrest them. Items recovered from them are five motorcycles, two machetes, assorted charms and N120,000.”

Chukwu said the suspects and the items were handed over to the police for investigation.

The spokesman said the army was determined to fish out criminals and recover weapons they use in killing innocent citizens.

He appealed to the people to cooperate with the troops.

On Monday, Samuel Ortom, governor of the state, said cattle have been “invading” Benue despite the military operation.