From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has arrested a a 24-year-old Abara Elias, for sodomising an eight-year-old neighbour’s son in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, George Chuku, made the disclosure, yesterday, during his maiden press briefing at the Command headquarters, Makurdi.
The commissioner said the 24-year-old man lured the child to an uncompleted building when his parents were away and had carnal knowledge of him through the anus.
He said: “On 1/12/2023, at about 1900hrs, information was received that while the parents of Oryina, a young boy of eight years, were away from home, a neighbour, one Abara Elias ‘m’ 24 years, lured the child to an uncompleted building in the area and had carnal knowledge of the child.
“The child has been taken to hospital for treatment, while the suspect has been arraigned in court for prosecution.”
The commissioner also disclosed that within two weeks of resumption of duty, over 30 suspects have been arrested in the state, 15 arms recovered, with two kidnap victims rescued and their culprits apprehended.
He stated that on December 4, 2023, the police also arrested one Amoor Alfred, 27 years old, a notorious criminal, responsible for most of the kidnappings along the Lafia-Daudu road Federal road. He stated that the command has identified flash points, including the Sankera axis and the Makurdi-Naka road, and has put in place operations to ensure that the Yuletide is peaceful.
“Naka road is our flash point. We have done a lot of operations on that road and it is yielding results. We have mapped out all our strategies and measures to ensure that it is safe for travellers during the yuletide period,” he said.
He also cautioned against the use of crackers and bangers during the Christmas and new year celebrations, saying the command was carrying out operations to secure the state during the period.
“Black spots are being raided and operational teams deployed to various LGAs to assist the DPOs. It is also important for everybody to be security conscious and cooperate with the police by giving useful and timely information that will assist the command in fighting crime.
“Remember that the ban on bangers or knockout is still in force. Masquerades are also warned to conduct themselves in a manner that will not infringe on the rights of other people. Parents and guidance should caution their children/wards from engaging in acts capable of causing breech of peace, as the police will not hesitate to arrest any body found violating this order during the yuletide period,” he warned.