Commissioner of Police, Benue State, Mr Okoro Julius Alawari, said the command arrested 22 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists.

It also recovered weapons from the hideouts from the hoodlums.

He vowed: “It is going to be war against the hoodlums. They come from neighbouring states to carry out their operations and run back to their bases. We are prepared for them and we will keep them out of the state.

“Commander, Operation Zenda, Justine Gberindyer and his operatives arrested another set of armed robbers in Makurdi. Police operatives have started raiding hideouts of the hoodlums. They recovered some magazines AK 47 rifles and 20 rounds of cartridges.

“Operation Zenda encountered some kidnappers at Makurdi/Otukpo axis.

The operatives were on patrol with vigilance group and hunters. They were able to foil the operation. They recovered arms and ammunition from them.

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“I have warned officers to shun corruption and imbibe community policing. They should also professionalism in discharging their duties. We have started training and re training our officers on how to conduct themselves in the public.

“Operatives arrested suspected cultists who were into armed robbery.

They specialised in house breaking and vandalised government property.

Ten suspected armed robbers were arrested on the Makurdi-Nasarawa Expressway and Makurdi-Jos Expressway.

“They engaged police in gun duel. Some escaped to the forests.

Operatives combed the forests and recovered cutlasses, AK-47 rifles and 15 magazines and clothes they wore for the operation. All the suspects will soon be charged to court.”