Benue Police Rescue 8 Kidnap Victims, Arrest 10 Suspects in Major Crime Crackdown
According to a report, the Benue State Police Command has recorded significant successes in its ongoing fight against crime, rescuing eight kidnapped victims, neutralising three suspected armed bandits, and arresting 10 suspects linked to various criminal offences across the state.
Speaking during a press briefing in Makurdi on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the Command remained committed to protecting lives and property through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies.
The police chief explained that the briefing was aimed at keeping residents informed about the Command’s efforts to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, human trafficking, gender-based violence, and other crimes.
Among the major achievements was the rescue of eight persons abducted near Adupi in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area. According to the Commissioner, police tactical teams, supported by the Police Mobile Force and local vigilantes, responded swiftly to a distress call, engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, and forced them to flee, abandoning their captives without collecting any ransom. A locally made single-barrel gun and a military uniform were recovered from the scene.
In another operation along the Vaase-Chito Road in Gbeji, Ukum Local Government Area, police operatives confronted suspected armed bandits, killing three during a fierce exchange of gunfire. Security personnel also recovered an AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of live ammunition, and a motorcycle.
The Command also arrested a 40-year-old woman, Ashide Nyityon, over the alleged trafficking of two young women from Naka in Gwer West Local Government Area. Investigations revealed that the victims were allegedly lured with promises of employment in Lagos before being transported to Ghana, where they were reportedly forced into prostitution. The victims later escaped and returned home.
Police further arrested a woman accused of abandoning two newborn babies in Vandeikya Local Government Area after investigations traced the incident to her.
In Daudu, officers apprehended 28-year-old Akpehe Tyoakaa for allegedly attacking and robbing a commercial motorcyclist with a machete. The suspect reportedly confessed to the crime and is expected to face prosecution.
The Commissioner also revealed that detectives uncovered a staged kidnapping involving a 30-year-old man, Onyebuchi Nwankwo, who allegedly conspired with others to fake his abduction and collect a ransom of ₦1.02 million from his parents.
Additionally, two suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl in Otukpa after she was found to be pregnant. Both suspects reportedly confessed and will be charged after investigations are concluded.
Several other suspects were arrested during separate operations targeting armed robbery, cultism, illegal firearms possession, and gun-running across Makurdi, Naka, and Gboko. The operations led to the recovery of locally made firearms, ammunition, charms, and other dangerous items.
Summarising the operations, the Commissioner disclosed that police arrested 10 suspects, rescued eight kidnapped victims, neutralised three armed bandits, recovered 17 firearms, 36 rounds of ammunition, military camouflage, a motorcycle, charms, and a short axe.
He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain the fight against crime and urged residents to remain vigilant by providing credible information to security agencies, assuring them that the police would continue to act professionally and decisively to ensure the safety of communities across Benue State.
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