Benue Security: Troops Repel Suspected Armed Herders in Guma, Recover Two AK 47 Rifles.

Benue Security: Troops Repel Suspected Armed Herders in Guma, Recover Two AK 47 Rifles.

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, have repelled suspected armed men during an intelligence led operation in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, recovering two AK 47 rifles, four empty magazines and other items.

The operation took place on Monday, October 26, 2026, following intelligence reports that suspected criminal elements posing as herders had crossed from neighbouring Nasarawa State into Guma, according to the military.

In a statement issued by the task force, its Acting Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, said the troops came under gunfire upon arriving at the identified location. The soldiers reportedly returned fire, repelled the attack and forced the armed group to flee.

The military confirmed that no casualties were recorded among its personnel during the encounter.

Items Recovered During Military Operation

According to the statement, a subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of two AK 47 rifles, four empty AK 47 magazines, eight calves, three mobile phones, a National Identification Number (NIN) document belonging to an individual identified as Umar Yusuf, and ₦20 in cash.

The military did not provide further details about the ownership of the recovered firearms, the circumstances surrounding the presence of the livestock or the identities of the fleeing suspects.

The recovery of the weapons forms part of ongoing security efforts to counter armed criminal activity and improve safety across communities in Benue State, which has experienced persistent security challenges.

Military Calls for Stronger Community Cooperation

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army’s 5 Division, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, commended the troops for their vigilance, prompt response and recovery of the items.

He urged personnel to sustain intelligence led operations and strengthen collaboration with local communities to prevent criminal activities across the task force’s operational area.

Gara also acknowledged the contributions of residents who provide information to security agencies, encouraging members of the public to continue reporting suspicious movements and activities to the appropriate authorities.

The military’s appeal highlights the importance of cooperation between security personnel and local communities in identifying potential threats and supporting efforts to prevent attacks.

Security Challenges in Benue State

Benue remains an important security concern in Nigeria’s North Central region, where communities have faced recurring violence involving armed groups, attacks on rural settlements and disputes involving farming and pastoral activities.

Operations such as the latest intervention in Guma are intended to disrupt armed groups, recover illegal weapons and strengthen security in vulnerable communities.

However, sustained progress will depend not only on military operations but also on effective intelligence gathering, timely responses to threats, investigations and accountability, alongside cooperation between security agencies and residents.

Although the latest operation resulted in the recovery of firearms and other items, the suspects reportedly escaped. Further information about efforts to identify and apprehend them was not provided in the military statement.

The incident underscores the continuing need for coordinated security measures to protect lives and property in Benue State and neighbouring areas.