Benue Police rescue eight kidnap victims, neutralise three bandits

..arrest 10 suspects, recover arms in major crackdown

By Peter Duru

Benue State Police Command has announced a series of breakthroughs in its crackdown on crime across the state, including the rescue of eight kidnapped victims, neutralising three suspected armed bandits, and arresting 10 suspects linked to offences ranging from human trafficking and armed robbery to rape, cultism and illegal possession of firearms.

Addressing journalists Friday in Makurdi, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the briefing was part of the Command’s commitment to transparency and keeping the public informed of its efforts to safeguard lives and property.

According to the Commissioner, “Effective policing thrives on transparency, partnership, and timely information. It is in this spirit that we have invited you here to share some of our recent breakthroughs, particularly in the fight against armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, gender-based violence, trafficking and other related crimes.”

He added, “What you will hear and see today are not just statistics or exhibits; they are testaments to the resilience of our officers, the synergy with other security agencies, and the cooperation of well-meaning residents of Benue State.”

Among the major successes recorded was the rescue of eight persons kidnapped around Adupi in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area, LGA. Nwadiogbu said police tactical teams, the Police Mobile Force and local vigilantes swiftly responded after receiving a distress call.

He explained that the operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee and abandon the victims, who were rescued unharmed without the payment of ransom. A locally fabricated single-barrel gun and a military uniform were recovered from the scene.

The Commissioner also disclosed that operatives foiled a bandits’ operation along the Vaase-Chito Road in Gbeji, Ukum LGA, where three suspected bandits, some dressed in military camouflage, were neutralised during a fierce exchange of gunfire. Items recovered during the operation included an AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of live ammunition and a motorcycle.

In another breakthrough, the Command arrested a 40-year-old woman, Ashide Nyityon, over the alleged trafficking of two young women from Naka in Gwer West LGA. Police investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly lured the victims to Lagos with promises of employment before facilitating their movement to Ghana, where they were reportedly sold into prostitution.

“The victims were allegedly subjected to sexual assault before they eventually escaped and returned to Naka,” the Commissioner said, adding that the suspect was assisting investigators in tracking other members of the trafficking network.

The Command also arrested a woman accused of abandoning two-day-old infants in Vandeikya LGA after investigations led detectives to the suspect.

In Daudu, police arrested a 28-year-old suspect, Akpehe Tyoakaa, over the machete attack and robbery of a motorcyclist. According to the Commissioner, the suspect confessed to the crime and would soon be arraigned.

The police also uncovered a staged kidnapping after investigations revealed that a 30-year-old man, Onyebuchi Nwankwo, allegedly conspired with others to fake his abduction and collect a ransom of N1.02 million from his parents. Nwadiogbu said the suspect had been arrested and was assisting with investigations.

The Command further arrested two suspects for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl in Otukpa after the victim was discovered to be pregnant. Both suspects reportedly confessed and would be charged after investigations.

According to him, several other suspects were arrested in separate operations involving armed robbery, cultism, gun running and unlawful possession of firearms across Makurdi, Naka and Gboko, leading to the recovery of multiple locally fabricated guns, ammunition, charms and other dangerous items.

Giving a summary of the operations, the Commissioner said the Command arrested 10 suspects, rescued eight kidnapped victims, neutralised three armed bandits, recovered 17 firearms and 36 rounds of ammunition, as well as military camouflage, a motorcycle, charms and a short axe.

While reaffirming the Command’s determination to sustain the fight against crime across the state, the Commissioner said, “These breakthroughs reflect our resolve to deny criminals any space to operate in Benue State. While we remain firm in pursuing offenders and bringing them before the law, we also recognise that security is a shared responsibility.”

The Commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring them that the police would continue to act “decisively, professionally, and within the law to keep our communities safe.”

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