Benue: Police arrest gun runners, recover arms

The Benue State Police Command has arrested suspected gun runners, armed robbers, cattle rustlers, fraudsters, and homicide suspects, and recovered firearms and ammunition across the state.

The command’s Commissioner, Cletus Nwadiogbu, spoke at a news conference, which he addressed on Friday in Makurdi.

Nwadiogbu said operatives attached to Guma Division on July 28, 2026 intercepted two persons on a motorcycle during a stop-and-search operation.

The commissioner told newsmen that one of the suspects fled into a nearby bush while the other, identified as Joro Jakata, from Awe, Nasarawa State, was arrested with 115 rounds of live 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition.

He said the motorcycle conveying the suspects was impounded, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice.

Nwadiogbu also announced the dismantling of two illegal firearm manufacturing factories in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area.

According to him, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested two suspects during the raid and recovered two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, five locally made English pistols, and firearm manufacturing tools.

He condemned the July 28 attack on the Efeyi Ogboju Community in Otukpo Local Government Area, where 13 persons were killed.

He said preliminary investigation indicated that the attackers rustled about 20 cattle before opening fire on residents while fleeing.

The commissioner said police tactical teams later engaged the bandits in a gun duel, neutralised two suspects, and recovered one AK-47 rifle with 15 rounds of live ammunition.

He added that other gang members escaped with suspected gunshot wounds, while efforts were ongoing to arrest them and recover the stolen cattle.

Nwadiogbu further disclosed that operatives of Operation Zenda Crack Squad dismantled a notorious armed robbery gang in Buruku Local Government Area.

He said six suspects were arrested following intelligence-led operations, while one K2 rifle and a cutlass were recovered.

According to him, preliminary investigation linked the gang to several violent crimes, including the murder of a trader in Buruku in December 2025.

The commissioner also announced the arrest of several cattle rustling suspects in Okpokwu and Guma local government areas.

He said one suspect confessed to participating in cattle rustling operations and killing of one Benjamin Paul during an attack in Okpokwu, while two suspects were arrested in Guma with a dead cow.

Nwadiogbu added that the command also arrested suspects in separate culpable homicide cases in Gwer East and Kwande local government areas.

He also said that one woman had already been charged to court for allegedly killing her co-wife’s one-month-old baby, while two suspects were arrested over the fatal stabbing of a 28-year-old man.

The commissioner said detectives were equally investigating a homicide case in Kwande after a man died during a struggle with another farmer over a locally fabricated pistol and machete.

He said the command foiled a fake kidnapping plot after rescuing a woman allegedly reported kidnapped by her mother.

Nwadiogbu said investigation revealed that the woman and her friend staged the abduction to extort money from her mother.

He added that police also arrested a suspected member of a fraud syndicate in Kogi State in connection with criminal conspiracy, threats to life, and advance fee fraud.

The CP urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information, assuring that the command would continue to pursue criminals and ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖