News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
Benue State Police Command said they has arrested 34 suspects for sundry crimes including cultism, armed robbery and gun running in the state.
The Commissioner Of Police Benue State Command, CP. Steve Yabanet, while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Makurdi, on Wednesday evening, their arrests followed the intensity of operations to clampdown on criminal elements in the state.
While presenting the achievements of Benue State Police Command, the Commissioner said the command in its renewed commitment to clamp down of cultism, robbery and other criminal activities in the state arrested 34 suspects across the state for various offences.
He said “On 14/11/2024 about 1320hrs information was received at ‘C’ Police Division, Makurdi that the corpse of a young man was seen at North Bank Makurdi. Swiftly detectives were deployed to the scene for investigation.
“In the course of the investigation, it was revealed that the death of the suspect was as a result of a rival cult clash. Information was also gathered about hideouts in the area.
“On 17/11/2024 at about 2200hrs to 0200hrs of 18/11/2024, a joint operational team of the Police, the Army and NSCDC working on actionable intelligence raided hideouts and arrested eighteen (18) suspected cultists at Avis hotel and other areas of North Bank. Illicit drugs were recovered from their various hideouts.
“On 19/11/2024 at about 2200hrs further joint operation was carried out by the operatives of Cyber Crime, Eagle Eye and Anti-cult department of the command. They launched an aggressive raid at hideouts of the suspected cultists and apprehended 14 more suspects.
“Exhibits recovered from them include two locally made pistols, three live Cartridges, leaves suspected yo be marijuana , six mobile phones, cash sum of ₦23,670.00, one Single barrel gun, three ATM cards, criminal charms, shisha smoke pot, one Laptop and one graven image.”
He said suspects will soon be charged to court.
The Commissioner also stated that “On 18/11/2024 at about 1025hrs while police officers were on routine stop and search duties along Ikyobo-Agbede road, Ushongo LGA, they intercepted one Daniel Emmanuel on a motorcycle.”
He said he was searched on the spot, they recovery two locally made pistols in his bag and one Baja Motorcycle. He said investigation is ongoing to unravel where he gets gun and who he intends to supply to.
Yabanet enthused that the achievements were a testament of the commands commitment to rid the state of crime and criminality.
He vowed that the fight shall be sustained to ensure the security and safety of Benue residents.
He therefore urged the people of the state to cooperate with the police by providing useful and timely information.
