The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 176 suspects in connection with various criminal offences committed in July.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Makurdi.
Emenari said the suspects were arrested for offences including cultism, armed robbery, banditry, theft, and culpable homicide.
“Out of the 176 suspects, 22 were apprehended for alleged cult activities, while 26 were arrested for armed robbery,” he said, adding that the remaining suspects were picked up for other offences.
The commissioner also revealed that within the same period, the command recovered 30 firearms, 4,000 rounds of ammunition, eight motorcycles, one tricycle, and two vehicles from criminal elements.
According to him, some of the recovered weapons include:
Four rocket launchers
12 AK-47 rifles
11 locally made pistols
Four locally fabricated rifles
Emenari stated that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, had successfully destroyed all known bandit camps in the state.
“With these successful operations, many displaced locals have now returned to their ancestral homes and farms across most parts of the state,” he said.
The CP emphasized the command’s resolve to prosecute criminals attempting to hide under the guise of banditry, warning that no offender would escape justice.
He also announced a strategic redeployment of security personnel, including the relocation of the Area Commander from Otukpo to Agatu, with clear instructions to flush out all criminal elements in that axis.
Operations are also ongoing in the Sankara axis, a known flashpoint, where several bandits have reportedly been repelled or neutralised.
“It is important to note that some of our gallant officers paid the ultimate price during these operations. We extend our condolences to their families and remain resolute in our mission,” Emenari said.
He assured residents that the command remains fully committed to maintaining peace and security across Benue State.
“In the month of July, we significantly reduced crime to the barest minimum through strategic operations including intelligence-led policing, patrols, raids of criminal hideouts, and stop-and-search exercises,” he added.
The CP urged the public to continue supporting the police with timely and actionable information to help sustain the gains recorded.
