The Benue State Police Command has arrested 83 suspects during the Christmas and New Year celebration.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Mukaddas Garba, disclosed this on Tuesday when he briefed journalists on the achievements of the Command during the period.
The Commissioner said 13 guns, 20 cutlasses/knives, five live ammunition, five cartridges and several other items were recovered from the suspects.
In a press statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene, the CP explained that in preparation for the festive period and as a strategy to clamp down on cult activities and other heinous crimes in Benue state, the Command deployed Police Officers to various locations to arrest identified cultist.
He noted that between December 20, 2020 and January 5, 2021, one Festus Ijiwole also known as RANKY, Musa Saleh Ibrahim, Raymond Musa Opake and 73 others were arrested at different locations in Makurdi.
“On the spot search conducted in their various houses led to the recovery of exhibits; three locally made pistols, three single barrel cut to size gun, three live cartridges, five axes, fourteen cutlasses, six knives, Military camouflage uniforms, two bullet proofs, two suspected stolen laptops, arrows and criminal charms.”
He said the suspects will soon be charged to court.
The command also arrested some motorcycle snatchers saying “On 25th December, 2020 at about 2130hrs, one Aondoakura Tingir and others at large, conspired and robbed a complainant of his motorcycle at Daudu.
“During investigation, Aondaakura Tingir, was arrested and he confessed to the crime. Similarly, on 4th December, 2020 at about 1300hrs one Kenneth Terkyam and one other conspired and robbed a cyclist of his motorcycle.
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“The cyclist raised alarm and mob within the area arrested the suspects and set one of them ablaze before the police arrived and rescued the said Kenneth.
He also said that “On December 21, 2020 at about 1945hrs, information was received that a businessman was attacked in front of Polaris Bank, Gboko. Police Officers on patrol intervened and arrested one Chukwuebuka Chukwuma while members of his gang escaped. Investigation is still in progress.”
He also said that on the December 26, 2020 at about 2125hrs, some Police Officers on patrol at Otukpo and Okpokwu Local Government Areas, arrested one Stephen Eda in possession of two locally made pistols, fake Dollar notes and assorted charms while Adah Michael was arrested in Okpokwu with one locally made pistol.
Similarly, the statement said on the 3rd of January, 2021, at about 1430hrs, a Police patrol team within Makurdi area arrested one Mohammad Obeka with suspected stolen phones, during investigation, the suspect led the Police to his gang member, one Francis Ikya where one locally made pistol with four rounds of live ammunition were recovered in his house.
The Commissioner appreciated the good people of Benue State for their conduct and cooperation with the police during the festivity and assured that the command is committed to the fight against crime.
