Crackdown in Benue: Police nab 42 bandits, vow to reclaim peace

DDM News

At least 42 suspected bandits have been arrested by the police in connection with recent killings across Benue State.

The State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, made this known during his first media briefing in Makurdi on Wednesday night, Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports.

He revealed that 10 of the arrested suspects are armed herdsmen who have already been remanded by the courts.

The remaining suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be prosecuted upon completion of case files.

CP Emenari noted that the majority of arrests happened within his first month in office.

“I was posted to Benue on April 24 and resumed duty on April 26,” he stated.

“Immediately, I initiated strategic security operations to combat the rising insecurity in the state,” he added.

The police chief said he personally visited many volatile areas in the state since assuming office.

These areas include Ankpali in Apa, Naka in Gwer West, Ayilamo in Logo, Amafu in Katsina-Ala, and Ukum.

Others are Agatu, Udei, and Yogbo in Guma Local Government Area, where attacks had displaced many residents.

He lamented that farmlands have been deserted as farmers fled due to persistent insecurity and fear of attacks.

To tackle the crisis, tactical police teams have been deployed to comb the affected communities for perpetrators.

“Our mandate is clear: to secure these areas and ensure farmers return to their lands,” he stated.

In the past month alone, 42 suspects, including armed herdsmen and local bandits, have been apprehended.

He assured that those arrested will face prosecution, with some already charged and others awaiting court action.

Police also recovered two AK-47 rifles and 21 locally made guns from the suspects during operations.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the police command is also battling other crimes like cultism and kidnapping.

CP Emenari said there has been a noticeable reduction in cult-related attacks since his assumption of duty.

He also confirmed the arrest and prosecution of several kidnappers operating along the Makurdi–Lafia federal highway.

The commissioner urged residents to cooperate with police efforts to restore peace and protect lives and property.

He thanked Governor Hyacinth Alia for supporting the police command with logistics and encouragement.

According to him, the government’s support is vital to achieving sustainable peace across Benue State.

CP Emenari pledged that the police would not relent until full peace is restored to all communities.

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