The Benue State Police Command has arrested 11 suspected armed herdsmen following a fierce gun battle in the Gbise area of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday as security operatives moved to stop cattle rustling operation.
According to police sources, the operation was led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACPOL) for Katsina-Ala, and it followed intelligence that armed herdsmen were seen in Nagu, a village near Gbise. Residents had raised an alarm, causing panic in the area.
Security patrol and tactical teams were quickly deployed to the location around 6:00 a.m. On arrival, they found a group of Fulani men loading cattle into a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number TTM 405 XA, registered in Taraba State.
“As officers approached the scene, they came under heavy gunfire from about 50 armed herdsmen hiding in nearby bushes,” a police statement revealed.
The security operatives returned fire and overpowered the attackers, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding forest.
During the operation, 11 suspects were captured, and nine cows along with one sheep were recovered. The truck used in the operation was also impounded by the police.
Cattle rustling and violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers have remained a serious problem in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt. These conflicts have often led to deaths, destruction of farmland, and displacement of rural communities.
The latest arrest is seen as a significant step in tackling the growing insecurity in the area. Residents have long called for stronger security presence and faster response from law enforcement to protect lives and property.
The Benue State Police Command has assured the public of its commitment to maintaining peace and has called on locals to continue providing useful information that can help prevent further criminal activities.
Investigation is ongoing, and the suspects are expected to face prosecution after preliminary interrogation and evidence gathering.
