Commissioner of Police, Benue State, Mr Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, has charged officers to tackle the hoodlums terrorising the state, just as the command arrested 10 suspects:
“I have ordered my officers to go after the hoodlums who come from neighbouring states to operate and smoke them out of their hideout. This year, we are not taken chances. The state will be crime free, life and property and the people will be made to sleep with eyes closed.
“I warned my officers against corruption, illegal duty, illegal detention and abuse of fundamental human rights of the citizens. The duty of the police is to protect the lives and properties of the people. Any form of corruption practice that could tarnish the image of the force should be avoided.
“We have redeployed operatives on routine patrol along Taraku-Otukpo, Otukpo-Enugu highways to checkmate hoodlums. Police recovered some weapons including charms from them.
“There was another encounter with kidnappers in Zaki-Bian, Ukum Local Government.
“The hoodlums abandoned their AK-47 rifles, pump action and 10 rounds of ammunition. We have started raiding their hideouts to flush them out of the environs.
“We have visited stakeholders including traditional rulers, clergymen and community leaders. We engaged them to join us to flush out the hoodlums. I extend hand of fellowship to other sister agencies including the vigilance groups and hunters to neutralise these criminals.”