Benue police arrest, release names, details of 18 notorious cultists, kidnappers, robbers

The Benue state police command in a bid to combat and reduce crime rate in the state to the minimum has released details of suspected cultists, kidnappers, robbers recently arrested by operatives of operation Puff Adder.

Below is the excerpts of the press release by the Benue Police command.

BENUE STATE POLICE COMMAND
PRESS RELEASE
18th JUNE 2019

Operation Puff Adder was launched in Benue State on 22nd May, 2019 at the Benue State Police Headquarters, Makurdi by the commissioner of Police Benue state command, CP. Mukaddas Muhammad Garba.

The operation is a deployment of well trained personnel to strategic areas for prevention of crime and quick response to heinous crimes in Benue state.

Operation puff Adder registered successes in the area of preventing crime and apprehension of criminals during the period under review. Some of the successes are as follows:

1. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS/ARMED ROBBERS : On 18/05/2019 following intelligence gathered, Solomon Alex, Torbem Ermo, Raphael Apaku, Michael and Isaac Anagba all ‘m’ of different addresses were arrested within Makurdi town in connection with cult related killings.

Solomon Alex was arrested with one single barrel shot gun and one live cartridge in his possession. He also led the operatives to Agatu Local Government Area where one Alhassan Isah and Simeon Alhassan were arrested and the following items recovered. One locally made gun designed to use AK 47 ammunition and 14 long gun barrels were recovered indicating that arms are assembled in the house. Case will soon be charged to Court.

2. ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPER: On 25/05/2019 at about 1430hrs, following information received one Tarkighir James Abako alias “Ajijan” was arrested in connection with a case of kidnapping that was reported at Gboko town. He confessed that he has participated in the kidnap of many persons in Gboko town for ransom. Investigation is still in progress

3. ARREST OF A SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER/ CULTIST: Following information gathered about cult activities at Aliade town, one Oradir Jeremiah ‘m’ leader of XPP secret cult group was arrested and one locally made pistol was recovered from him with two cartridges and one red cap. Investigation is still in progress.

4. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS: Efforts of operation puff Adder to cut down on proliferation of arms within the State led to the arrest of the following suspects; Vihimga Nyigba and Asamuga Tyongi all ‘m’ intercepted and arrested on a motorcycle at Ugba, Logo Local Government Area. On the spot search of the suspects led to the recovery of one locally made pistol with three live cartridges, charms and dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. One Thomas Okibe ‘m’ of Ugbokolo town was also arrested with a locally made pistol and could not give satisfactory account of himself.

5. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS: On 03/06/2019 at about 2200hrs, one Aondofa Aondohemba ‘m’ of Mbaya village, Kastina-Ala was arrested in connection with a robbery incident that took place at Dyum village Ukum Local Government Area. One (1) axe, one knife and assorted charms were recovered from him while other gang members are still at large. Investigation is still in progress

6. DEATH OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS/ RECOVERY OF FIRE ARMS: On 28/05/2019 at about 0145hrs, one of the teams of operation Puff Adder while on patrol along Ihugh Vandeikya road, encountered a gang of armed robbers operating on the road. On sighting the Police team, the robbers engaged the Police in a gun battle that led to the death of three (3) of the armed robbers. Items recovered from the robbers were one (1) locally fabricated AK 47 riffle and one (1) locally made short gun with seven (7) cartridges.

7. ARREST OF A SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER AND GUN RUNNER /RECOVERY OF FIRE ARMS: On 29/05/2019 at about 1000hrs, one Tersoo Orhembaga ‘m’ of Tse-Daudu was arrested at Adikpo in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State. On the spot search of the suspect lead to the recovery of one locally made pistol with eight (8) rounds of 9mm ammunition. The
suspect confessed to the crime and is currently undergoing trail. Investigation is still in progress.

8. ARREST 0F SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS /RECOVERY OF FIREARMS: In continuation of sustained coordinated onslaught against kidnappers, cultist and armed robbers at Ugbokolo, Otukpa Area Command. A team of Operation Puff Adder raided a location in Ugbokolo town and arrested three (3) persons suspected to be kidnappers and recovered from them; one (1) locally made pistol, three (3)
live 7.6mm ammunition, one (1) live cartridge, assorted charms and phones. Investigation is still in progress.

9. ARREST OF A SUSPECT FOR ETORTION AND PERSONATION: On 12/06/2019 at about 1730hrs, based on intelligence gathered, one Onyenzeh Levi ‘m’ of Ihiala village, Anambra State was arrested by a team of Policemen and the following exhibits were recovered from him; an unauthorised DSP Police Identity Card, Police black belt, unregistered 2007 model Toyota camry, tear-gas and a Police Mobile shirt. Investigation is still in progress.

The achievements of this operation were recorded due to support from the general public and the resilience of officers that were selected for this operation. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the general public and the officers for their efforts so far.

Thank you and God bless you.

SUMMERY

Suspects. =18
Locally made pistols = 6
Locally made AK 47 rifle. = 1
Live Ammunition. = 11
Live cartridges =14

DSP. ANENE SEWUESE CATHERINE
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (PPRO), FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
BENUE STATE POLICE COMMAND