From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has arrested seven suspects for kidnapping and armed robbery in Ogbadibo, Logo and Gboko Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, CP Okoro Julius, stated this while briefing newsmen in his office, in Makurdi, on Tuesday.
Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters, CP Okoro said the command will not tolerate criminals who are bent on frustrating police efforts in the state.
He noted that it has become a trend in the state where people who should team up with the police are busy burning houses and destroying property.
He warned that he will deal with such persons disturbing the state in accordance with the laws.
The CP, who cited examples of cases of mischief by fire at Oju and Logo where he has arrested and arraigned about 37 suspects, promised not to relent in the fight against crime.
In a breakdown, a statement signed by Police Public Relation Officer, (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, said “Following reports of kidnapping within Ogbadibo and Ohimini Local Government Area, (LGA), the Commissioner of Police, Cp. Okoro Alawari Julius deployed Police teams to survey these areas and identify criminal hideouts for follow-up operations.
“On 27/6/2023 during a surveillance patrol, information was received about suspected kidnappers that were lodged in a hotel at Orokam, Ogbadibo LGA.
“A search conducted at the hotel led to the arrest of the following suspects, Idris Ibrahim, Sani Mohammed, Homidu Dauda, Aliyu Adamu, and Salisu Yakubu who lodged in a room and attempted to escape from the hotel on sighting the Police.”
The statement said the suspects who claim to be cattle rearers could not give a satisfactory account of themselves and their mission at the hotel.
On their arrest, one camouflage trouser, one beret and one motorcycle were recovered from them.
Similarly, “On 21/6/2023 at about 1145hrs, information was received that three armed men invaded Tse-Agbu Village, Logo LGA and kidnapped one Idang Francis.
“While escaping with the victim, the suspects were intercepted, the victim rescued and two of the suspects escaped to a nearby forest while one was arrested.”
Also “On 2/6/2023 at about 2020hrs, while an Anti kidnapping police team were on routine patrol at Lubona Junction, Gboko, they intercepted and arrested one Terhide Kende who was suspected to have concealed arms in his bag.
“On-the-spot search of the suspect led to the recovery of one locally made pistol loaded with ammunition.
The statement said the investigation is currently ongoing on all the cases just as efforts are being made to arrest suspects at large.