THE FORCE Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, has issued a stern warning to individuals and groups responsible for the wave of violence in Benue State, vowing that they will face severe repercussions if they do not cease their activities.
In a renewed call for peace, Major General Gara reiterated the task force’s commitment to ending the persistent attacks that have resulted in numerous casualties and the destruction of property across the state.
He strongly condemned the ongoing criminal behaviour, including the killing of innocent civilians and incidents of cattle rustling, and assured that those responsible would be apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.
The warning follows the swift response of troops to two separate security incidents in the Guma LGA of the state.
According to a statement dated February 15, 2026, and signed by the Acting Media Information Officer for the task force, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, troops successfully rescued an injured herder and arrested suspects linked to cattle theft during one of these operations.
Lieutenant Zubairu detailed that troops received a report of an attack on two herders at Amua Village, located between Daudu and Umenger/Ukpiam in Guma LGA.
Personnel stationed at Umenger promptly mobilised to the scene. They discovered that one of the herders had been killed in the attack, while the other had sustained gunshot wounds.
The injured victim was rushed to Keana in neighbouring Nasarawa State for urgent medical care. The remains of the deceased were subsequently handed over to community representatives for burial in accordance with traditional customs.
