The Benue State Police Command has arrested 34 foreign nationals suspected of engaging in clandestine activities, rescued 29 kidnapped victims and apprehended 14 suspects during security operations across the state in October.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi while briefing journalists on the command’s achievements. He reaffirmed the police commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.
According to him, 16 Cameroonian nationals were arrested in Otukpo Local Government Area on October 9 for allegedly failing to provide the required travel documents.
Another 18 Nigerien nationals were intercepted at Orokam on October 22 while reportedly travelling to Ikom in Cross River State.
Nwadiogbu said investigations were ongoing to establish their immigration status and the circumstances surrounding their entry into Nigeria. The Nigeria Immigration Service is expected to participate in the investigation.
The commissioner also disclosed that 29 kidnapped victims were rescued through joint operations involving the police, Operation Whirl Stroke, Operation Zenda Joint Task Force, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local vigilantes.
Among those rescued were four passengers abducted on October 5 after gunmen attacked a commercial vehicle along the Uzer axis of Ayilamo–Tse-Abi Road in Logo Local Government Area. The driver was reportedly killed during the attack.
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On October 7, security operatives rescued 17 farmers from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in the same local government area.
Another eight victims, including a Catholic priest, were rescued on October 13 after being abducted along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road in Ohimini Local Government Area.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, while the rescued victims were taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Otukpo for medical attention.
The police commissioner further revealed that security operatives recovered seven locally made firearms and 16 rounds of ammunition and cartridges during operations targeting suspected cultists and other criminal groups.
He added that a suspected bandit was neutralised during an encounter with security operatives along Amaafu–Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on October 2.
Nwadiogbu also said investigations were ongoing into several serious cases, including the alleged abuse of two children in Kwande Local Government Area, one of whom died; the fatal attack on a resident in Makurdi allegedly involving suspected cultists; and the alleged defilement of a 10-year-old girl in Ado Local Government Area.
He confirmed that suspects had been arrested in connection with the cases.
The commissioner urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies and resolve disputes through lawful means.
He assured the public that the command would continue intelligence-led operations, patrols and cooperation with other security agencies to tackle kidnapping, cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other criminal activities.
The command maintained that its operations were aimed at identifying, arresting and prosecuting suspects in accordance with the law.
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