Police arrest alleged bandits’ ammunition supplier in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old man allegedly involved in supplying ammunition to bandits operating in the state.

The suspect, identified as Joro Jarkata, was apprehended during a stop-and-search operation by operatives of the Guma Police Division in Guma Local Government Area.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondona, the arrest followed a proactive security operation carried out on Tuesday, July 28.

Aondona said officers intercepted a motorcycle conveying two occupants during the operation. However, one of the suspects fled into a nearby bush on sighting the police.

“Upon sighting the police, one of the occupants alighted from the motorcycle and fled into a nearby bush.

“The remaining suspect, identified as Joro Jarkata, a 20-year-old male from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, was apprehended.

“A search conducted on him led to the recovery of one hundred and fifteen (115) rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his possession,” the statement read.

The police said the suspect is currently in custody, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Makurdi for further investigation.

The command said investigators are working to determine the source of the ammunition, its intended destination and the circumstances surrounding its movement, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect.

Aondona added that the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the officers for their vigilance and swift response, which led to the recovery of the ammunition.

He said the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating the proliferation of illegal arms and dismantling criminal networks threatening peace and security in Benue State.

The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.