Benue State Police Command said over 131 suspects have been arrested from the 22nd of February, to May, 2021 for various offenses.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Audu Madaki who stated this while briefing journalists at the command headquarters, on Wednesday, said the police recovered 32 exhibits and 727 live ammunition among others.
According to him, the command, which has embarked on a robust community policing strategy to combat crime and criminalities in the state, has charged 205 cases to to court.
Giving a breakdown, CP Madaki said since he assumed office in February, over 120 cases has been charged to court across all the divisions and area commands in the state while 85 cases has been charged to court by the State CID bringing it to a total of 205 cases in court.
He also explained that about 131 suspects are now awaiting trial in prison custody and are being charged for various offenses ranging from armed robbery, rape, cultism, kidnapping, mischief by fire among others.
He stated that the command during the time under review, also recovered 32 rifle of different calibers including six AK47, one G3, three double barrel gun, 22 locally made Pistols.
Audu Madaki observed that the locally made pistols were more in number because most of the blacksmiths are within the state and have been feeding criminals especially cultists.
The command also recovered 727 live rounds of ambition and 27 live cartridges.
Speaking on the plans of the command, CP Madaki said the command has been enforcing relevant federal and state laws while working with Benue stakeholders to end crime and criminalities in the communities.
He noted that in Sankara axis which were flashpoints for banditry, the command established operation and deployment points at Katsina Ala, Gbor, Tor Donga, Abaji and Anyiin to ensure peace and sanity in the area.
“We identified all markets and market days in these areas and deployed police personnel to ensure that bandits do not come to terrorize marketers.
“Today, because of the resilience, focus and determination, the men in that area will be awarded for their brilliant performance in the field,” he said.
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The officers awarded include OC Operation Zenda, CSP Justin Gberindyer, for impressive performance in crime prevention and protection, DPO of Katsina Ala and Daudu, Danjuma Ibrahim and Nurudeen Oyekunle respectively were awarded for their excellent performance in their areas.
Also awarded were the OC Federal High Ways, DSP Tersoo Ugbe, DPO of Ado local government, Benjamin Achimugu, for his passion and impressive performance at the borders areas of Benue and Enugu states, ASP Danlamin Usman for his courage and bravery in Cordon and Search operations in Sankara axis and the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Catherine Anene who was awarded as Capacity PRO.
The Commissioner said the awards were in line with the directive of the IGP that men must be encouraged to boost their moral to put in their best at work.
He commended the recipients and urged them to keep up the good work just as he urged all men to do their best in the field.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, the PPRO, DSP Catherine Anene thanked the IGP and the Commissioner for finding them worthy with a pledge to put in more efforts in the service of the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerians at large.
