Troops arrest seven herdsmen in Benue

The Nigerian Army said on Thursday that seven herdsmen have been arrested by troops in Benue State while they (herdsmen) were destroying farmlands.

The Army Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, said in a statement the troops also recovered weapons from the herdsmen.

He said troops are also on the trail of some notorious kidnappers in Kogi State.

The statement reads: ” Exercises AYEM AKPATUMA (Cat Race) has continue to record tremendous success as herdsmen were  arrested while destroying farmland and large number of weapons were recovered in different locations  where the exercise is conducted.

“Troops of Sub-Sector A, deployed at Yelwata while on routine patrol along road Gbajimba-Kaseyo-Awe in Benue State, arrested four herdsmen grazing in farmland on Wednesday, 28 February 2018. Four cutlasses were recovered from the herdsmen.

“Similarly, troops of Sub-Sector B deployed at Anyilamo while on fighting patrol along Buruku-Uba-Abeda-Ameh and Fadama Kuturu also in Benue State apprehended three herdsmen destroying farmland with their cattle on Wednesday, 28 February 2018.

“In a related development, troops of Army Headquarters, Special Force Team B of Command Army Record, Lokoja, while on routine patrol on Tuesday, 27 February 2018, along road Okene-Lokoja responded to a distress call about kidnappers operating along the road.”