Benue Police rescue eight kidnap victims, neutralise three bandits, arrest 10 suspects

The Benue State Police Command has recorded major successes in its ongoing crackdown on criminal activities across the state, rescuing eight kidnapped victims, neutralising three suspected armed bandits, and arresting 10 suspects linked to offences including human trafficking, armed robbery, rape, cultism and illegal possession of firearms.

Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed the achievements while briefing journalists on Friday in Makurdi.

He said the briefing was part of the Command’s commitment to transparency and keeping residents informed about efforts to protect lives and property.

“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,” he said.

According to the commissioner, police tactical teams, operatives of the Police Mobile Force and local vigilantes rescued eight kidnapped victims after responding to a distress call from Adupi in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area.

He said the operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee without collecting any ransom.

A locally fabricated single-barrel gun and a military camouflage uniform were recovered from the scene.

In another operation along the Vaase–Chito Road in Gbeji, Ukum Local Government Area, police foiled an attack by suspected bandits, killing three during a fierce gun duel.

Items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of live ammunition and a motorcycle.

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

According to police investigations, the suspect allegedly lured the victims to Lagos with promises of employment before facilitating their movement to Ghana, where they were reportedly sold into prostitution.

“The victims were allegedly subjected to sexual assault before they eventually escaped and returned to Naka,” Nwadiogbu said, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the trafficking syndicate.

The police also arrested a woman accused of abandoning two-day-old babies in Vandeikya Local Government Area after investigations traced the incident to her.

In Daudu, officers arrested 28-year-old Akpehe Tyoakaa for allegedly attacking a commercial motorcyclist with a machete before robbing him. The suspect reportedly confessed to the crime.

The Command further uncovered a staged kidnapping involving 30-year-old Onyebuchi Nwankwo, who allegedly conspired with others to fake his abduction and extort ₦1.02 million in ransom from his parents.

Police also arrested two suspects accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in Otukpa after she was discovered to be pregnant. Both suspects reportedly confessed and will be charged after investigations.

Additional operations across Makurdi, Naka and Gboko led to the arrest of suspects linked to armed robbery, cultism, gun-running and unlawful possession of firearms, with several locally fabricated guns, ammunition, charms and dangerous weapons recovered.

Summarising the operations, the Commissioner said the Command arrested 10 suspects, rescued eight kidnapped victims, neutralised three armed bandits, recovered 17 firearms, 36 rounds of ammunition, military camouflage, a motorcycle, charms and a short axe.

“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,” Nwadiogbu said.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring them that the police would continue to act decisively, professionally and within the law to keep communities safe.