Operatives attached to the Benue State Police Command have arrested nine suspects for alleged robbery and kidnapping during the new year festivities in Kwande, Vandeikya and Otukpo Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state.
The suspects identified as Aondongu Iorlamen, Abigwa Bebatso and five others were apprehended while operating along Adikpo – Jato-Aka road, in Kwande LGA
Confirming the arrest, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene said the state recorded minimal crime cases during the festivities aside from the three cases in the aforementioned three LGAs.
According to her one of the cases was recorded on December 28, 2022, at about 1:30 am when “information was received that armed robbers operating along Adikpo – Jato-Aka road, in Kwande LGA attacked and robbed road users of their belongings.
“During investigation one Aondongu Iorlamen and Abigwa Bebatso, and five others were arrested in connection with the case. Items recovered from them include; one locally made single barrel gun, a head mask, a military camouflage and one motorcycle stolen from the same robbery scene.
“And on December 31, 2022, at about 2 am a distress call was received that five suspected kidnappers invaded a compound at Tse-kpum, Vandeikya LGA to kidnap one Mr Terzungwe. Upon the arrival of the police, the suspects fled into a nearby forest where one of them was eventually arrested while his gang members escaped. The suspect confessed to having been sent by an enemy of the victim to kidnap him for ransom.
“Similarly on January 2, 2023, at about 11 am while officers of Safer Highway patrol were on stop and search duty at Ogene junction, Otukpo – Ugbokolo road, they intercepted one Aliyu Danazumi with goods suspected to be stolen.
“On the spot search of his belongings led to the recovery of ten phones, a cutlass, and a sack containing new clothes and shoes. The suspect confessed to having broken into shops with other gang members while traders travelled for Christmas, to steal the goods.”
She said investigations into the respective cases were still ongoing.