Within eight months, the Benue police command has arrested 273 people for alleged capital offenses and charged 250 of them with crimes.
This was revealed by the police in a statement that was provided to reporters in Makurdi on Monday and signed by Commissioner of Police Steve Yabanet.
According to Mr. Yabanet, between April and December 2024, 273 people were captured in relation to capital offenses.
Along with the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition during that time, the CP reported that 250 people had already been charged in court.
Additionally, he said, they recovered 34 abducted victims and arrested 27 kidnap suspects.
He said the command apprehended 63 suspected cultists and 54 suspected armed robbers.
According to Mr. Yabanet, 41 individuals were arrested for cybercrime and 47 suspects were arrested on rape accusations.
He added that 14 motorcycles, one automobile, and one tricycle were found during that time, and six individuals were arrested in relation to culpable homicide suspects.
According to the CP, the command had been battling cultism, which was one of the main problems plaguing the state.
We currently have seven suspected cultists in jail who were captured in the North Bank, Daudu, and Otukpo districts, even though some individuals have been charged in court.
Among them were Benjamin Andrew Augustine of Otukpo, Donald Aguma “m” of Daudu, Tyoshar Aondoaseer “m” of Daudu, and Tsena Joseph “m” of Daudu.
One locally made pistol was found, and Garba Yusuf, also known as Totis, Ismail Dauda, and Abdulahi Danjuma, all men, of Wadata in Makurdi, were also taken into custody.
“These accused will face charges in court shortly.
But as cultism necessitates a “carrot and stick” strategy to defeat, he urged parents, educators, religious leaders, and traditional authorities to join the battle.
Mr. Yabanet stated that individuals taking matters into their own hands, especially young people murdering the elderly for suspected witchcraft, was another concerning issue in the state.
On December 24, news broke that an elderly woman in Agatu Local Government Area’s Egba village had been murdered on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
“Oyaje Clement, 40, and one Bako Above, 50, were arrested in connection with the case during the investigation,” he stated.
He praised Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police, and Governor Hyacinth Alia for their steadfast support of the command thus far.
