Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested seven suspected cultists during a coordinated raid on a criminal hideout in the North Bank area of Makurdi, Benue State.
Spokesman of the operation, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, said in a statement on Thursday that the operation, conducted on October 30, 2025, was part of ongoing efforts to tackle cultism and other violent crimes in the state capital and surrounding communities.
According to him, the suspects were apprehended for their alleged involvement in armed robbery, drug-related offences, and cult violence.
Items recovered from the hideout include two locally fabricated pistols, a laptop, a cartridge, a 7.62mm ammunition, an empty shell casing, a dagger, and several bags containing charms and other incriminating materials.
Zubairu said the suspects are currently in custody and would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
The Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and vigilance, urging them to sustain the momentum in the fight against criminal elements across the state.
He also warned youths, particularly students in tertiary institutions, to stay away from cultism, drug abuse, and other crimes, stressing the importance of discipline, patriotism, and lawful conduct.
Gara reaffirmed the commitment of Operation Whirl Stroke to ensuring peace and security across its joint operations area.