The Benue State Police Command has arrested 20 suspects over alleged involvement in kidnapping, armed banditry, robbery and other criminal activities across the state.
The suspects were paraded at the command headquarters in Makurdi by the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, who disclosed that the arrests followed a series of operations conducted by police personnel in different parts of Benue.
Among the items recovered during the operations were three AK-47 rifles, 33 rounds of ammunition, two motorcycles, a Toyota Corolla car, locally made firearms and suspected criminal charms.
Nwadiogbu said police operatives recorded significant success during an operation in Logo Local Government Area, where three armed suspects were neutralised.
He further disclosed that another armed suspect was neutralised on August 26 around the Ayilamo axis.
According to the commissioner, the suspect was allegedly part of a group of armed bandits terrorising farmers and destroying agricultural produce in the area.
The police chief also revealed that officers disrupted an attempted armed robbery at Ayati village in Gwer-East Local Government Area on August 9.
He explained that the suspects escaped from the scene during the police operation but abandoned a locally fabricated revolver and live ammunition.
Nwadiogbu said investigations into the arrests also uncovered an alleged syndicate specialising in the theft of vehicles and motorcycles.
He disclosed that five of the suspects in custody were allegedly linked to the syndicate.
As part of the investigation, detectives reportedly extended their operations to Dan-Anacha in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, where two Bajaj motorcycles and the recovered Toyota Corolla were found.
The commissioner warned criminals involved in the illegal possession, movement and trafficking of firearms that the police would continue to clamp down on such activities.
He stressed that the state would not be permitted to become a safe haven for criminal elements.
Nwadiogbu also appealed to members of the public to remain alert and assist security agencies by providing reliable information about suspicious individuals, movements and activities within their communities.
Benue: Police arrest suspected kidnappers, robbers, recover AK-47 rifles, ammunition