12-Year-Old Boy Injured by Stray Bullet as Army–Police JTF Clash in Benue

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

A 12-year-old boy has reportedly been struck by a stray bullet following a clash between troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and operatives of the Nigerian Police’s Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) in Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

Information gathered by our correspondent indicates that the confrontation occurred on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at a checkpoint in Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West LGA.

A reliable military source, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak, explained that troops at the Naka checkpoint had spotted some locals on motorcycles transporting butchered cows in a manner resembling cattle rustling.

The movement of the riders, according to the source, raised suspicion, prompting troops to attempt to question them.

“When troops tried to stop the motorcyclists for questioning, a Toyota Hilux vehicle approached the checkpoint at high speed and failed to stop despite repeated signals,” the source said.

“In an effort to halt the vehicle for proper identification, the troops fired warning shots as part of standard security procedure, but the driver sped off into Naka town.

“Moments later, sporadic gunshots were heard within the community. It was later discovered that the shots came from some Operation Zenda personnel who were allegedly firing into the air to celebrate a successful operation.

“Sadly, a 12-year-old boy was hit in the leg by a stray bullet. He is currently receiving treatment at Naka Medical Centre and is in stable condition.”

The source added that “later the same day, Operation Zenda personnel returned to the checkpoint demanding the release of suspects earlier apprehended with mutilated cows believed to have been rustled.

“One of the suspects subsequently confessed that the Operation Zenda vehicle had been transporting the rustled cows, which explained why they failed to stop at the checkpoint initially.”

Contacted for comments, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edet Udeme, stated that investigations were ongoing to determine what transpired.

Joseph Har, the Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs to Governor Hyacinth Alia, said he had yet to receive full details of the incident.