OPWS Troops Arrest Seven Suspects, Disrupt Kidnapping and Robbery Schemes in Benue

In a significant blow to criminal networks operating in Benue State, troops from Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended seven individuals suspected of involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes. The arrests, carried out during coordinated raids on October 31, 2025, targeted hideouts in Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas—two regions long plagued by insecurity.

According to Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the Acting Media Information Officer for OPWS, the operations were intelligence-driven and executed with precision to avoid civilian casualties. The suspects were taken into custody in separate locations, with authorities recovering items believed to be linked to recent criminal activities in the area. While specific details about the seized materials have not been disclosed, sources indicate that weapons, communication devices, and possibly ransom proceeds were among the haul.

The arrests come at a critical time for Benue State, where residents have endured a relentless wave of abductions, highway robberies, and attacks on rural communities. Ukum and Katsina-Ala, in particular, have been hotspots for such crimes, with criminal gangs exploiting the dense forest cover and porous borders to launch attacks and evade capture. Farmers, travelers, and even local leaders have fallen victim, creating an atmosphere of fear that has stifled economic activity and displaced families.

OPWS, a joint military task force comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police, has been at the forefront of efforts to restore peace in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states. Since its reactivation, the operation has recorded several successes, but challenges persist due to the sophisticated tactics employed by criminal elements, including the use of informants and nighttime ambushes.

Lieutenant Zubairu emphasized that the latest operation is part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal syndicates and reassure citizens of the government’s commitment to their safety. “We will not rest until every criminal hiding in Benue is flushed out,” he stated. The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation, and authorities have assured that they will face the full weight of the law.

Community leaders in the affected areas have welcomed the development, with some calling for sustained military presence and the establishment of forward operating bases to prevent a resurgence of crime. Others have urged the government to address underlying issues such as youth unemployment and poor infrastructure, which they argue fuel criminality.

As investigations continue, residents of Ukum and Katsina-Ala are hopeful that this operation marks a turning point in their long battle against insecurity. For now, the message from OPWS is clear: criminal elements have no place to hide, and the fight to secure Benue remains unrelenting.