Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke have successfully intervened in incidents of cattle rustling in Benue State, Nigeria, leading to the arrest of two suspects. This development was communicated by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, in a statement that was made public to journalists in Makurdi. On February 15, 2026, troops responded to reports of attacks on herders that occurred in Amua Village, within the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement officials discovered that one herder had been killed while another sustained gunshot wounds. The injured herder was promptly evacuated to Keana, located in the neighboring Nasarawa State, for emergency medical treatment. Zubairu elaborated that this swift action by the troops was crucial in mitigating further violence and restoring some level of security in the area, which has been plagued by such incidents.

This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced in Nigeria's agricultural regions due to cattle rustling and related violence, which not only impacts the herders but also the local communities' livelihoods. The commitment of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke to combat these issues is significant, yet it underscores the broader need for effective security measures and conflict resolution strategies in Benue State and similar regions plagued by similar conflicts.