Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested 11 cultists during a series of raids targeting criminal hideouts while dealing a fresh blow to cult-related activities in Benue State.
During the raid, the army recovered several items used by the cultists to carry out their nefarious activities and terrorise innocent residents.
The items include four mobile phones, a woodland camouflage vest, a combat short, and other materials currently being examined by investigators.
It was gathered that the operation which led to the arrest of the cultists was carried out at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, during a raid on their enclave in the North Bank area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The arrests were made following an intelligence-driven operation conducted by troops of Sector 1, who acted on reports linking the suspects to cult-related activities.
A security source familiar with the raids on Monday said the operation was executed successfully, with all the suspects apprehended without resistance.
According to the security source, the raid formed part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and restore public safety in communities affected by cultism and other related crimes.
“The operation was based on credible intelligence. Troops moved swiftly to the identified location and successfully arrested the suspects,” the security source said.
According to the security source, the arrested cultists and items recovered from them have been taken into custody pending further investigation and possible prosecution.
Additionally, the source stated that Operation Whirl Stroke would sustain pressure on criminal groups operating across the North-Central region.
He stressed that more intelligence-led operations would be conducted to identify and dismantle cult-related networks.
“We remain committed to denying criminal elements safe havens and ensuring the security of law-abiding citizens,” the source concluded.