Four members of a suspected robbery gang terrorising parts of Makurdi town have been arrested by operatives of the Benue State Police Command.
Nigeriacrime.com gathered that the suspects were arrested during a raid on their hideout in the town.
The operation also led to the recovery of various calibre of firearms and ammunition.
Confirming the arrest the Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene said that the arrested gang members were also suspected to belong to the same cult group.
According to Command, the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Joint Task Force, JTF, of the Command code-named “Operation Zenda” after the receipt of credible intelligence.
She explained that “after credible intelligence was gathered about the armed robbery syndicate operating around Kighir, Kanshio and Adeke communities, officers from Operation Zenda JTF stormed their hideouts for a raid.
“On sighting the police, the group engaged the police in an exchange of fire. In the process, one of the armed robbers sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to Teaching Hospital Makurdi where he was receiving treatment but eventually died and was deposited at the hospital morgue.
“Other gang members arrested include; Tersoo Akatakpo aka ‘General’, Gowon Akatakpo, Ikya Atseriyol and Terver Iortimdee. The Suspects confessed that they are members of Junior Vikings confraternity, JVC, as well as armed robbers.
“Items recovered from them are; one single barrel gun, two locally made pistols, five live cartridges, four expanded empty shells of cartridges, two Dane guns, one red baret with JVC logo and three handsets suspected to be stolen.”
The Command stated the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation into the matter was completed.