Troops Foil Armed Herders’ Attack, Recover AK-47 in Benue

Troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have foiled an attack by suspected armed herders on Azege community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Monday, August 10, 2026, at Azege Village, Tombo Council Ward, following a distress call alerting security forces to an attack on the community.

According to the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, troops swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the attackers in a gun battle upon arrival.

He said the troops, leveraging superior firepower, overwhelmed the assailants, forcing them to flee in disarray.

In the course of pursuing the fleeing attackers, the troops discovered the body of one suspected armed herder who was neutralised during the encounter.

The security forces also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and a Nokia mobile phone from the scene.

Lieutenant Zubairu said the recovered items had been secured, while the remains of the neutralised suspect were evacuated by the police.

He added that efforts were ongoing to track down and apprehend other members of the group who escaped during the encounter.

The Joint Task Force commended the troops for their tactical resilience and praised the Nigeria Police Force for its effective collaboration in thwarting the attack.

The task force also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities in their communities to security agencies.