Benue Police Rescue Eight Kidnap Victims, Arrest 10 Suspects, Neutralise Three Bandits

The Benue State Police Command says it has rescued eight kidnapped victims, neutralised three suspected armed bandits and arrested 10 suspects linked to offences ranging from human trafficking and armed robbery to rape, cultism and illegal possession of firearms during a series of security operations across the state.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, described the operations as part of the command's ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and improve security across Benue.

He said the briefing reflected the command's commitment to transparency and public accountability.

"Effective policing thrives on transparency, partnership and timely information. It is in this spirit that we have invited you here to share some of our recent breakthroughs, particularly in the fight against armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, gender-based violence, trafficking and other related crimes," the commissioner said.

According to him, the command's recent successes were made possible through the combined efforts of police tactical units, other security agencies and community members who provided useful intelligence.

Nwadiogbu disclosed that one of the major operations resulted in the rescue of eight persons abducted around Adupi in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area.

He said police tactical teams, the Police Mobile Force and local vigilantes responded after receiving a distress call and engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle.

The commissioner said the suspects fled into nearby bushes under heavy pressure from the security operatives, abandoning their captives.

All eight victims were rescued unharmed without any ransom being paid.

Police also recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel gun and a military uniform at the scene.

In another operation along the Vaase-Chito Road in Gbeji, Ukum Local Government Area, police operatives reportedly confronted suspected bandits, some allegedly dressed in military camouflage.

According to the commissioner, three of the suspects were neutralised during an exchange of gunfire.

Items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of live ammunition and a motorcycle believed to have been used by the suspects.

The commissioner also announced the arrest of a 40-year-old woman, Ashide Nyityon, over the alleged trafficking of two young women from Naka in Gwer West Local Government Area.

Police investigations, he said, indicated that the suspect allegedly lured the victims to Lagos with promises of employment before facilitating their movement to Ghana, where they were reportedly forced into prostitution.

Nwadiogbu added that the victims later escaped and returned to Benue.

"The victims were allegedly subjected to sexual assault before they eventually escaped and returned to Naka," he said.

He noted that the suspect was assisting investigators in identifying and arresting other members of the trafficking network.

The command also arrested a woman accused of abandoning two-day-old infants in Vandeikya Local Government Area after investigations allegedly linked her to the incident.

In Daudu, police arrested 28-year-old Akpehe Tyoakaa for allegedly attacking and robbing a commercial motorcyclist with a machete.

According to the commissioner, the suspect confessed to the crime and would be charged in court after the conclusion of investigations.

Police also uncovered what they described as a staged kidnapping involving 30-year-old Onyebuchi Nwankwo.

Investigators alleged that the suspect conspired with others to fake his own abduction and collected a ransom of N1.02 million from his parents.

The commissioner said the suspect had been arrested and was assisting detectives with further investigations.

In a separate case, police arrested two suspects over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl in Otukpa after the teenager was found to be pregnant.

The suspects reportedly confessed and will be prosecuted upon the completion of investigations.

The command also carried out additional operations in Makurdi, Naka and Gboko, leading to arrests connected with armed robbery, cultism, gun-running and unlawful possession of firearms.

Arms and Ammunition Recovered

Giving a summary of the operations, Nwadiogbu said the command:

Rescued eight kidnapped victims.

Neutralised three suspected armed bandits.

Arrested 10 suspects for various offences.

Recovered 17 firearms.

Recovered 36 rounds of ammunition.

Recovered military camouflage, a motorcycle, charms and other exhibits.

The commissioner reaffirmed the command's determination to sustain the offensive against criminal elements across the state.

"These breakthroughs reflect our resolve to deny criminals any space to operate in Benue State. While we remain firm in pursuing offenders and bringing them before the law, we also recognise that security is a shared responsibility," he said.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, assuring them that the police would continue to act professionally and within the law to protect lives and property.