Benue Police Rescue Eight Kidnap Victims, Neutralise Three Bandits In Major Crackdown

The Benue State Police Command has announced a series of breakthroughs in its crackdown on crime across the state, including the rescue of eight kidnapped victims, the neutralisation of three suspected armed bandits, and the arrest of 10 suspects linked to offences ranging from human trafficking and armed robbery to rape, cultism and illegal possession of firearms.

Addressing journalists on Friday in Makurdi, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the briefing was part of the command’s commitment to transparency and keeping the public informed of its efforts to safeguard 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.

Among the major successes recorded was the rescue of eight persons kidnapped around Adupi in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area. Vanguard reported that police tactical teams, the Police Mobile Force and local vigilantes swiftly responded after receiving a distress call.

The operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee and abandon the victims, who were rescued unharmed without the payment of ransom. A locally fabricated single-barrel gun and a military uniform were recovered from the scene.

The Commissioner also disclosed that operatives foiled a bandits’ operation along the Vaase-Chito Road in Gbeji, Ukum Local Government Area, where three suspected bandits, some dressed in military camouflage, were neutralised during a fierce exchange of gunfire. Items recovered during the operation included an AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of live ammunition and a motorcycle.

Daily Trust reported that the rescue of the eight kidnapped victims followed a distress call on May 25 that armed men had abducted commuters around Adupi, and that a combined team of tactical police operatives, Mobile Police personnel and local vigilantes engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee into nearby bushes.

In another breakthrough, the command arrested 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 revealed that 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 command also arrested a woman accused of abandoning two-day-old infants in Vandeikya Local Government Area after investigations led detectives to the suspect. In Daudu, police arrested a 28-year-old suspect, Akpehe Tyoakaa, over the machete attack and robbery of a motorcyclist.

“What you will hear and see today are not just statistics or exhibits; they are testaments to the resilience of our officers, the synergy with other security agencies, and the cooperation of well-meaning residents of Benue State,” Nwadiogbu said.

Sources: Vanguard, Daily Trust