Benue: Police arrest 20 suspects, recover three AK-47 rifles, 33 rounds of ammunition

The Benue State Police Command has apprehended about 20 suspected criminals and recovered three AK-47 rifles, 33 rounds of ammunition and several other weapons during recent operations across the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday while presenting the suspects and recovered items at the command headquarters in Makurdi.

Nwadiogbu said those arrested were suspected to be involved in kidnapping, armed banditry, robbery, vehicle and motorcycle theft, as well as other criminal activities.

According to him, the police recovered three AK-47 rifles, 33 rounds of ammunition, two motorcycles, a Toyota Corolla, locally manufactured firearms and suspected criminal charms from the suspects.

The commissioner disclosed that security operations in Logo Local Government Area led to the neutralisation of three armed suspects.

He added that another suspected criminal was neutralised on August 26 around the Ayilamo axis.

Nwadiogbu explained that the suspect was allegedly part of a group of armed bandits terrorising farmers and destroying agricultural produce in the area.

The police commissioner also revealed that operatives successfully disrupted an armed robbery operation at Ayati village in Gwer-East Local Government Area on August 9.

He said the suspects escaped during the police intervention but abandoned a locally fabricated revolver and live ammunition.

Nwadiogbu further disclosed that five of the suspects in custody were allegedly linked to a syndicate specialising in stealing vehicles and motorcycles.

He said further investigation by detectives led them to Dan-Anacha in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, where two Bajaj motorcycles and the recovered Toyota Corolla were found.

The commissioner warned that the command would continue to clamp down on the illegal possession, movement and trafficking of firearms, stressing that Benue would not be allowed to become a safe haven for criminals.

He called on residents across the state to remain alert and assist security agencies by providing timely and credible information about suspicious individuals, movements and activities within their communities.