Benue abductions: Police arrest seven suspects in joint security operation

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

The Benue State Police Command said they have arrested seven suspects in connection with the abduction incident that occurred on April 15 in the Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed this in a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Udeme Edet and made available to the media in Makurdi on Saturday.

Emenari, who described the arrest as a significant breakthrough, also said some victims have been rescued and are receiving medical attention, but he was silent on the number of those rescued.

He explained that in a coordinated joint security operation involving the police and other sister security agencies, operatives are conducting a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and adjoining areas.

The operation, he noted, has led to the “successful rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention”.

He said, “Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while the investigation is ongoing.

“The Command also wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The Command states that this claim is incorrect, as the victims were not confirmed to be part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy but passengers in a Markudi-bound bus.

The Commissioner assured members of the public that the Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, is intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining victims and ensure the full restoration of peace and security in the affected area.

The statement read, ‘Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the following official police hotlines: 08066006475, 07067374913, or report at the nearest police station. The Command further urges continued cooperation by providing credible and timely information to security agencies.”