Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 18 herdsmen in the Kwata Sule, Mbayer, Yandev and Kaambee areas of Benue State, who were caught grazing their cows on farmlands, an act which is against the state’s anti-open grazing law.

The troops attached to the 707 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, while on patrol on Saturday in the area, nabbed six herdsmen in Kwata Sule, while 12 others were arrested in Mbayer, Yandev and Kaambee areas for “destructive activities.”

The herdsmen were reportedly handed over to the police for prosecution.

According to the army, the troops, also in Chembe, Tse-Gundu, Tse-Iordye and Sbaor areas of the state, recovered two motorcycles, and 7.62mm special ammunition from two fleeing herdsmen.

Meanwhile, in Bauchi State, troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, in the ongoing Operation Lafiya Dole on Saturday also encountered some members of a militia group at the Burra Junction in the Ningi Local Government Area of the state.

The militiamen reportedly opened fire on the troops and at the end of the gun battle, four militiamen were killed, while the troops recovered five dane guns, 38 motorcycles and nine bicycles.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/03/troops-arrest-18-herdsmen-kill-four-militiamen-in-benue/