The Benue State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on crime, arresting suspected gun runners and other criminal suspects while recovering illegal firearms, ammunition and dismantling two clandestine weapon manufacturing factories.
The Benue State Police Command has recorded major operational successes with the arrest of suspected gun runners, armed robbers, cattle rustlers, fraud suspects and homicide suspects, alongside the recovery of illegal firearms, ammunition and the dismantling of two illicit firearm manufacturing factories.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed the achievements on Friday during a press briefing in Makurdi.
According to Nwadiogbu, operatives attached to the Guma Division intercepted two suspects riding a motorcycle during a stop-and-search operation on July 28.
He said one of the suspects escaped into a nearby bush, while the second suspect, identified as Joro Jakata from Awe, Nasarawa State, was arrested with 115 rounds of live 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition.
The motorcycle used by the suspects was impounded, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice.
The commissioner also announced the dismantling of two illegal firearm manufacturing factories in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area.
He said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested two suspects during the operation and recovered two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, five locally made English pistols and several firearm manufacturing tools.
Nwadiogbu condemned the July 28 attack on the Efeyi Ogboju community in Otukpo Local Government Area, where 13 persons lost their lives.
He disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the attackers rustled about 20 cattle before opening fire on residents as they fled.
Police tactical teams later engaged the fleeing suspects in a gun battle, neutralising two of them and recovering one AK-47 rifle with 15 rounds of live ammunition.
He added that other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot wounds, while efforts are ongoing to arrest them and recover the stolen cattle.
The commissioner further disclosed that operatives of Operation Zenda Crack Squad dismantled a notorious armed robbery syndicate operating in Buruku Local Government Area.
Six suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations, while security operatives recovered one K2 rifle and a cutlass.
According to him, preliminary investigations linked the gang to several violent crimes, including the murder of a trader in Buruku in December 2025.
Nwadiogbu also announced the arrest of several cattle rustling suspects in Okpokwu and Guma local government areas.
He said one suspect confessed to participating in cattle rustling activities and the killing of one Benjamin Paul during an attack in Okpokwu, while two other suspects were arrested in Guma in possession of a dead cow.
The commissioner disclosed that police also arrested suspects in separate culpable homicide cases in Gwer East and Kwande local government areas.
He said one woman had already been arraigned for allegedly killing her co-wife’s one-month-old baby, while two suspects were arrested over the fatal stabbing of a 28-year-old man.
He added that detectives are investigating another homicide case in Kwande involving a struggle over a locally fabricated pistol and a machete that resulted in a fatality.
Nwadiogbu further revealed that the command foiled a staged kidnapping after rescuing a woman who had allegedly been reported abducted by her mother.
Investigations showed that the woman and an accomplice allegedly orchestrated the fake abduction in an attempt to extort money from her mother.
The police also arrested a suspected member of a fraud syndicate in Kogi State over allegations of criminal conspiracy, threats to life and advance fee fraud.
The commissioner urged residents of Benue State to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring that the command would sustain its operations to protect lives and property while bringing criminals to justice.
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