In a move to protect farmers and ensure food security, Nigerian troops have arrested two herders for trespassing and destroying crops on community farmland in Benue State . The incident occurred on November 20, 2025, during a routine harvest-season patrol by troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), deployed in the Zongo Akiki area of Makurdi .
The troops intercepted the two individuals after they reportedly led their cattle into cultivated fields belonging to local residents, causing damage to crops . Military authorities stated that their swift action prevented further destruction and averted a potential confrontation between the herders and affected farmers . The suspects remain in custody for further investigation and legal proceedings .
The Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism . He used the opportunity to urge the public against taking the law into their own hands when disputes arise. He warned that violence or reprisal attacks only worsen tensions and undermine peaceful coexistence in the region . Major General Gara also cautioned herders to be law-abiding and avoid criminal behavior that threatens public order. He reaffirmed the operation's commitment to protecting farmlands and ensuring a secure environment for legitimate economic activities .
This arrest is part of a broader pattern of interventions by security forces in the region. These herder arrests are a critical component of the military's effort to quell ongoing farmer-herder conflicts . In a separate, larger-scale operation, troops deployed under Exercise Ayem Akpatuma arrested ten herdsmen for similar acts of crop destruction at Tse-Tigir and Tse-Ndugh villages in Benue State . In that incident, the suspects attempted to flee but were pursued and apprehended. Security forces recovered five motorcycles, two machetes, assorted charms, and N120,000 from them before handing the suspects over to the police .
However, the situation in Benue remains complex and volatile. A deadly attack on Anwule community in Ohimini Local Government Area on November 3, 2025, illustrates the severe human cost of these farmer-herder clashes . According to an eyewitness account, seven people were killed, including a pastor. The eyewitness, Okoh Augustine, described a harrowing series of events where attacks occurred over multiple days as villagers went to their farms . He also recounted a subsequent reconciliation meeting where a Fulani chief, referred to as Adu, allegedly admitted responsibility for the attacks, citing the death of his cattle as the cause. Despite this admission, made in the presence of local officials, no arrests were reported, leaving the community feeling unprotected and fearful of further incursions .
Other recent incidents include a report from Gwer West Local Government Area, where a rice farm was allegedly set ablaze by herders on November 2, 2025, destroying several hectares of crops and harvested rice . These events highlight the persistent security challenges facing farming communities and the critical role of military operations in farmland protection. The repeated need for such interventions shows the deep-seated nature of the conflicts.
The military's strategy appears to involve active patrols, swift arrest of offenders, and collaboration with police for subsequent legal action . The overarching goal, as stated by command officials, is to guarantee food security, especially during the critical harvest period, by creating a safe environment for farmers .