Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested two men suspected of stealing a cow in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The arrest happened on Saturday, July 6, during a patrol near Udei Village. The patrol was a follow-up to a reinforcement mission requested by the Nigeria Police after an earlier clash with armed herders in the area.
The suspects, Raymond Abina (32) and Sunday Faga (21), both from Ukohol Village, were caught riding a motorcycle with a sack containing freshly butchered cow meat.
When questioned, the two men claimed they bought the meat from a Fulani herder in the nearby forest. But investigations later revealed that the meat came from a stolen cow reported missing from Tse Pokiau Village, near Daudu.
Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, confirmed the arrests and said the suspects would be handed over to the police after investigations are complete.
General Gara warned against cattle rustling and jungle justice, calling both acts dangerous to the peace and safety of the region. He urged the public to support security efforts by reporting suspicious activities rather than taking the law into their own hands.
