The Benue State Police Command says it has arrested 18 suspects over a violent protest that took place in Sankera, Ukum Local Government Area.
The State Police Command disclosed this in a statement on the incident issued Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene.
She said,
” Information was received from Ukum Police Division that suspected bandits had attacked a village in Ayati community of Ukum LGA where six persons were killed. Police teams were immediately deployed to prevent further attacks.
“It is worthy of note that Ukum is a boundary area between Benue and Taraba states which has been a turbulent area in the state. This turbulence increased after the death of the dreaded popular Gana and Ukum has attracted the highest deployment of security agents in the state.
“The deployment is made to curtail activities of bandits that are found in three LGAs; Ukum, Logo and Kastina-Ala collectively called Sankera axis.
“At about 8 am violent protesters in hundreds began a protest obviously sponsored by criminals to unleash mayhem on the people and destabilise security network that has prevented them from operating freely in the area especially with recent successful operations that dislodged several bandit camps in the last two months.
“During this violent protest, personal and government properties were destroyed. These hoodlums also made an attempt to invade Ukum Police Division but were repelled by officers on guard duty.
“The Commissioner of Police, Benue state Command, Mr. Hassan Yabanet has since moved to the area with tactical teams and heads of other security agents to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
“18 suspects have so far been arrested and investigation is ongoing.”
