Emmanuel Ameh arrested with pump action rifle in Ugboju

Benue State Police Command has paraded 17 suspected criminals in the state, among them were armed robbers, con men, ritualists, kidnappers, as well as electoral offenders.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Omolou Bishi, who paraded the suspects at the command headquarters in Makurdi, earlier on assumption of duty in the state in January warned criminals to hibernate from the state, as he would make the state too hot for them.

He explained that two of the suspected con men/ritualists were arrested for defrauding one Iorumbur Amanger of Tombo-Mbaya Buruku Local Government Area (LGA) of the state of N209, 150 on the pretext that they would provide his son, Afa Amanger with admission into a University in Cameroon.

Bishi disclosed that, instead, the con men who are also ritualists had stabbed Afa to death and used his blood for ritual purposes. He added that the herbalist with the blood stained knife, used to stab Afa, was now on the run.

The CP noted that it was following a petition from Afa’s father that the command attested Hyginus Lubem Mbachi of the same address with Afa and one Gambo Bulus aka, Murphy of Akwanga, Nasarawa State were arrested.

He stated that during investigation, the suspects were arrested in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital and they have since confessed to the crime, adding that Afa’s corpse has also been recovered at a hospital were the suspects dumped the body.

Also paraded were three persons that attempted to kidnap a former speaker of the State House of Assembly, Stephen Tsav.

Bishi further disclosed that the kidnappers had “invaded the residence of Stephen Tsav of North-Bank Area Makurdi in a black Toyota Corolla “Duck Nyash” with the intent to kidnap him.”

He said, those arrested in connection with the attempted kidnap were Joseph Wagh and Terwase Igba both of Daudu, Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, adding that further investigations led to the arrest of other gang members; Felix Uuma alias “Yellow” and Danladi Gbanwa aka, “Dan Fulani.”

One fully loaded AK47 rifle, with live ammunition was recovered in their possession.

The CP also disclosed that seven persons were arrested in connection with elections violence; one of them with a pump action rifle.

He however stated that two of them were arrested with arms in the vicinity of collation center with the intent to disrupt electoral process and rob.

According to him, “Police patrol within Ugboju town (Otupko LGA) and its environs, one Emmanuel Ameh was arrested with one pump action rifle, one locally made revolver pistol, live cartridges and assorted charms.”

Also, “One Tsavnande of Mbaade village was arrested in an ash coloured Toyota Corolla ‘Duck Nyash’, with registration number HK 296 KM, strategically positioned at Atirkyese Collation Centre with intent to disrupt the election process and rob members of the public of their belongings.

“The suspect was arrested with one English made G3 rifle and one locally made G3 rifle. Efforts are being made to arrest other members of the gang who are at large.”

Four armed robbery suspects from different locations across the state were also paraded.

Bishi said two armed robbery suspects were arrested near Bem Hotel, Makurdi, while the police were on routine patrol in the area.

He noted that the suspects were arrested with one locally made revolver pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition, four different types of phones and a master key.

Also arrested was one Chukwu of North Bank, Makurdi who was arrested for being a receiver of stolen phones.

Bishi however said, the leader, of the gang, one Philip was still at large.