Benue Police Commissioner commends Zenda boss, parades five suspects, recovers arms

The Police Commissioner of the Benue State Police Command, Batholomew Onyenka, has expressed his appreciation for the diligent efforts of CSP Justin Gberindyer, the state commander of Operation Zenda/Joint Task Force (JTF), in combating crime within the state.

During a press briefing at the state command headquarters in Makurdi, the capital city, Commissioner Onyenka acknowledged the remarkable work of CSP Justin Gberindyer in tackling criminal activities.

On the 14th of August, 2023, officers from Operation Zenda JTF Tactical team successfully tracked down and apprehended a notorious armed bandit kingpin identified as KUMAOR FACHIR DANIEL, popularly known as the “2nd in Command, Late Gana Boys,” along the Adikpo-Ugbema road.

Further investigations by the authorities led to the arrest of four additional gang members: Iorwuese Ashiekaa, Aondongu Aligbe, Terkula Wuhe (also known as “AKA Oryughurt”), and Terhemba Sevav, a 47-year-old gang member from Adikpo, Kwande Local Government. Terhemba Sevav was responsible for the production and repair of firearms for the gang.

The seized items from the operation included: two AK-47 rifles, two improvised AK-47 rifles, two Barrett pistols in the process of being manufactured, one double-barrel shotgun loaded with 35 live cartridges, and a total of one hundred and thirty (130) rounds of 7.62 X 39mm live ammunition. Regrettably, some other suspects managed to escape the scene.

Commissioner Onyenka called upon the citizens of Benue State to collaborate with the police by providing valuable and timely information that can aid the Command in its efforts to combat crime. He emphasized that a society free from crime provides the foundation for sustainable development, which is especially crucial for a state as resource-rich as Benue.

During his confession, the gang leader, Kumaor Fachir, admitted to his involvement in criminal activities and disclosed that he was apprehended in Adikpo after a robbery operation that yielded a sum of one hundred and twenty thousand naira (#120,000).

Addressing the press, CSP Gberindyer Justin, the commander of Operation Zenda JTF, assured the residents of Benue State of absolute peace and pledged to bring crime to its lowest levels.

Reported by Benjamin Agesan, Makurdi.