The Benue State Police Command has rescued 29 kidnapped victims and arrested 34 foreign nationals in a series of security operations conducted across the state in October.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the command’s operational activities at the police headquarters in Makurdi. He attributed the achievements to intelligence-led policing and collaboration among security agencies, community security groups and local hunters.
Nwadiogbu said four passengers abducted by gunmen who attacked a commercial vehicle along the Uzer village axis of Ayilamo-Tse-Abi Road in Logo Local Government Area were rescued on October 5. He explained that the operation involved the police, Operation Whirl Stroke, Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local hunters.
He further revealed that 17 farmers kidnapped from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in Bamun village, Tombo District, Logo Local Government Area, regained their freedom on October 7 following a rescue operation by security personnel.
The police commissioner added that eight other abducted persons, including a Catholic priest, were rescued after they were kidnapped along Ugbokolo-Ajegbe-Awume Road in Ohimini Local Government Area on October 13. The development came after the police had earlier announced the rescue of eight victims and the arrest of two suspects linked to the incident.
In a separate development, Nwadiogbu disclosed that security operatives arrested 34 foreign nationals in two operations carried out during the month. According to him, 16 Cameroonian nationals were apprehended in Otukpo Local Government Area on October 9 for allegedly failing to produce the required travel documents.
He said another 18 Nigerien nationals were intercepted by police operatives at Orokam on October 22 while reportedly travelling to Ikom in Cross River State. The individuals were taken into custody for investigation and verification of their immigration status.
Nwadiogbu explained that the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant authorities would participate in the investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the foreign nationals’ entry into Nigeria and their movements within the country. He noted that investigations into the cases were ongoing.
The commissioner also reported the arrest of several suspects during separate operations targeting suspected cultists and other alleged criminals in Naka, Makurdi, Aliade and Gwer East. Items recovered during the operations included seven locally made firearms, 16 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, charms, mobile phones and ATM cards.
Additionally, he disclosed that a suspected bandit was killed during a gun battle with Operation Zenda operatives along Amaafu-Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on October 2. A locally fabricated firearm was recovered following the encounter.
The police commissioner urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could help prevent criminal activities and improve security across the state.
He emphasised that public cooperation remained essential to combating kidnapping, armed attacks and other criminal activities, as well as protecting lives and property throughout Benue State.
