How soldiers arrested 10 herdsmen destroying farmland in Benue

macfranc007 February 27, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Kess Ewubare

- Fleeing herdsmen are arrested by troops under the ongoing Exercise Ayem Akpatuma in Benue state

- 5 motorcycles, two machetes, assorted charms and N120,000 are recovered from the bandits

- Politicians in south and middle belt areas of Nigeria call for probe into how herdsmen get sophisticated weapons

Troops deployed to Yelwata under the ongoing Exercise Ayem Akpatuma (Cat Race) have arrested 10 herdsmen destroying farmland at Tse-Tigir and Tse-Ndugh villages of Benue.

Brig Gen Texas Chukwu, the director, army public relations, in a statement issued late Monday, February 26, night in Abuja, said the suspects fled into the bush when they sighted the troops, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

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

“The determined troops pursued and arrest them.

“Items recovered from them are five motorcycles, two machetes, assorted charms and N120,000,” he said.

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.

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He appealed to the people to cooperate with the troops.

Meanwhile, politicians under the aegis of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) have demanded an immediate probe into a statement made by the director general of the Department of State Service (DSS) that sophisticated weapons used by herdsmen are from the armouries of security agencies.

The group is also demanding a probe into the voter register citing the recent allegation of underage voting in Kano state as their reason.

Punch reports that the meeting was attended by the Ijaw leader and first republic federal commissioner for information, Chief Edwin Clark, who led the south-south delegation; while Chief Ayo Adebanjo led the southwest delegation. Chief John Nwodo and Dr Bala Takaya led the southeast and the middle belt respectively.

Nigerian herdsmen vs Nigerian farmers on NAIJ.com TV