The police in Benue State have announced the arrest of some suspected cultists, child traffickers and armed robbers.
This was disclosed on Tuesday during a press briefing by the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabaneth in Makurdi.
According to him, “On 9/2/2025 at about 1530hrs, information was received about renewed cult activities in the area where members of “Black Confraternity” went for a cult meeting across the River Benue and clashed with members of the ” Red confraternity.
“During investigation, three (3) corpses were recovered at the scene while ten (10) suspects were arrested in connection with the case as stated below: Simon Mande, Moses Tarlumun, Jamilu Idris, Seleki Joseph, Ahmed Dayabu, Muazu Usman, Akor Ada, Terfa Wergba, Almustapha Abubakar and Usman Gambo all ‘M’ of Wadata area.
“Investigation is ongoing to arrest other suspects.”
Yabaneth advised parents, teachers and other stakeholders to warn their children and wards against such unlawful associations.
Disclosing a related development, the CP said, “Following the report of a missing child in Northbank Makurdi, information was disseminated to members of the public for useful information about the child’s location.
“On 9/2/2025 information was received at ‘E’ Division Makurdi that one Obadiah Samaila ‘M’ of Kizito Junction Agyragu, Doduguru, Nasarawa State was seen around George Akume way Makurdi with a boy that he could not give satisfactory account of the boy’s origin.
“Swiftly, the suspect was arrested and brought to the police station where he confessed to have stolen the child from his house in Northbank for trafficking.”
Yabaneth also said suspected vandals were arrested by the police.
“On 06/02/2025 at about 1500hrs while Police officers from Naka Division were on patrol along Makurdi-Naka road, they intercepted and arrested one Idris Garba, Mohammed Usman, Ibrahim Mohammed and Rafa Muazu all `M’ of Lafia, Nasarawa state and Sunday Demekaa ‘M’ of Gwer-East Local Government Area with a Nissan truck loaded with iron pipelines suspected to be stolen.
“Suspects could not give satisfactory account of how they got these items. Investigation revealed that these are petroleum pipelines been vandalized around Gwer-Local Government Area and taken to an unknown destination. Investigation is ongoing to identify other suspects that are connected with the case.”
Announcing the arrest of suspected armed robbers, the CP said, “On 7/2/2025 at about 0830hrs, credible information was received about a robbery gang operating around Yogbo village in Guma Local Government Area.
“Investigators at Daudu Division conducted a raid in the area and arrest one Yakubu Kantoma ‘m’ 32yrs and Abu Ishaku ‘m’ 25yrs both of Sekereke, Yogbo village.
“Suspects have been identified by one of their victims and investigation is ongoing.”
