The Benue State Police Command has arrested 273 individuals for various capital offences between April and December 2024, with 250 of them already charged to court.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Monday in Makurdi by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet.
Yabanet detailed the arrests and achievements of the command over the past eight months, highlighting the proactive measures taken to tackle crime in the state.
The police recovered 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition during the period. Additionally, the command made significant strides in tackling specific crimes, including kidnapping, 27 suspects arrested, and 34 victims rescued, armed robbery, 54 suspects apprehended and cultism, 63 suspected cultists arrested, with seven currently in custody.
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Others are rape, 47 suspects detained, cybercrime, 41 individuals arrested and culpable homicide, six suspects apprehended.
The police also recovered one car, one tricycle, and 14 motorcycles linked to criminal activities.
Yabanet identified cultism as one of the major challenges facing the state and emphasized the command’s aggressive efforts to curb the menace.
“While some suspects have been charged to court, we currently have seven suspected cultists in custody, apprehended from North Bank, Daudu, and Otukpo areas,” Yabanet said.
Among the arrested suspects are Donald Aguma, Tyoshar Aondoaseer, and Tsena Joseph, all from Daudu, as well as Benjamin Andrew Augustine from Otukpo. Others include Garba Yusuf, alias Totis; Ismail Dauda; and Abdulahi Danjuma, all from Wadata in Makurdi. A locally fabricated pistol was also recovered during their arrest.
“These suspects will soon be charged in court,” the police chief assured.
Yabanet called on parents, teachers, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to collaborate with law enforcement in fighting cultism, stressing that a combination of “carrot and stick” approaches was necessary to eradicate the problem.
The Commissioner also expressed concern over the rise in vigilante justice, particularly cases of young people killing the elderly over allegations of witchcraft.
He cited a recent case in Egba village, Agatu Local Government Area, where an elderly woman was killed on December 24 over such accusations.
“During the investigation, two suspects, Bako Above, 50, and Oyaje Clement, 40, were apprehended in connection with the case,” Yabanet revealed.
The Commissioner commended Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, for their unwavering support of the command.
Yabanet pledged the continued dedication of the Benue Police Command to ensuring the safety and security of the state.
