Benue Police Rescue 29 Kidnap Victims, Arrest 34 Foreign Nationals

The Benue State Police Command has rescued 29 kidnapped victims and arrested 34 foreign nationals in separate security operations conducted across the state in October.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the command’s operational report to journalists at the police headquarters in Makurdi. He attributed the achievements to intelligence-led operations and collaboration among security agencies, community security groups and local hunters.

According to Nwadiogbu, four passengers abducted when gunmen attacked a commercial vehicle along the Uzer village axis of Ayilamo-Tse-Abi Road in Logo Local Government Area were rescued on October 5. The operation involved the police, Operation Whirl Stroke, Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local hunters.

He further disclosed that 17 farmers kidnapped from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in Bamun village, Tombo District, Logo LGA, regained their freedom on October 7.

Another eight victims, including a Catholic priest, were rescued after they were abducted along Ugbokolo-Ajegbe-Awume Road in Ohimini Local Government Area on October 13. The development followed an earlier police announcement confirming the rescue of eight victims and the arrest of two suspects in connection with the incident.

The police commissioner also revealed that 34 foreign nationals were arrested in two separate operations during the month. He said 16 Cameroonian nationals were apprehended in Otukpo Local Government Area on October 9 after allegedly failing to produce the required travel documents.

In a separate operation on October 22, police operatives intercepted 18 Nigerien nationals at Orokam while they were reportedly travelling to Ikom in Cross River State. Nwadiogbu said the individuals were taken into custody for investigation and verification of their immigration status, with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant authorities expected to assist in determining the circumstances surrounding their entry and movements within the country.

He added that investigations into the cases were ongoing. The command also arrested several suspects in separate operations targeting suspected cultists and other alleged offenders in Naka, Makurdi, Aliade and Gwer East. Items recovered included seven locally made firearms, 16 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, charms, mobile phones and ATM cards.

Nwadiogbu further reported that a suspected bandit was killed during a gun battle involving Operation Zenda operatives along Amaafu-Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on October 2. A locally fabricated firearm was recovered after the encounter.

The commissioner urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to support efforts to combat crime across the state. He stressed that cooperation between the public and security personnel remained essential to protecting lives and property.