Benue troops cultism crackdown
Security forces from Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in Benue State have intensified efforts to curb cult-related violence with a recent raid that led to the arrest of seven suspected cultists and the recovery of both firearms and charms.
The operation took place on October 30, 2025, in the North Bank area of Makurdi, the state capital. According to the OPWS media officer, the raid was launched on credible intelligence pointing to a hideout used by suspected criminal and cult elements.
Items recovered during the raid included two locally fabricated pistols, a round of 7.62 mm ammunition, a cartridge, a dagger, a laptop, and several bags containing charms and other incriminating materials.
The force commander of OPWS, Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and vigilance, and emphasised that the crackdown will continue until the network of cult gangs and associated crime is sufficiently disrupted.
This development signals a stronger push by security agencies in Benue to dismantle criminal cells that rely on cult-linkages, drug abuse and arms proliferation, which have previously fuelled instability in the region. The involvement of charms suggests that some of the groups may also be using occult or ritual paraphernalia to exert fear or power.
