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Tor Vande-Acka
MAKURDI – Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police, has arrested 10 suspect for various crimes committed, rescued 8 kidnap victims, neutralized three armed bandits, recovered seventeen different types of firearms and 36 ammunition between May and June, 2026, across communities in the state.
The Command also stated that it recovered one military camouflage, one motorcycle, six charms and one axe, during the period under review.
The State Police Commissioner, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this during a press briefing held at the command’s headquartered in Makurdi on Friday.
Among some of the successes recorded in tackling crime within the period, he explained are the rescue of eight kidnap victims from the clutches of their abductors in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Other incidents were the arrest of a lady who had abandoned her twin babies after delivery and the arrest of a female human trafficker who are both in the custody of the police and are helping them with their investigation.
The Police Commissioner, Nwadiogbu, noted that the trafficker, a 40-year-old, female, Ashide Nyityon, residing at Tyo-Dam, Naka, had lured two sisters to Ghana, under the guise of providing them with jobs, but subsequently sold into prostitute.
He said, “On 22nd May 2026, at about 11:47 hours, one Grace Hari, 22 ‘F’, resident of Kpankeke, Naka, Benue state reported that she and
her sister were allegedly lured from Naka to Lagos state by one Ashide Nyityon, a 40-year-old female, resident of Tyo-Dam, Naka, Benue, under the false promise of securing employment for them; the suspect, rather than securing employment as promised, facilitated their movement to Ghana, where they
were allegedly sold into prostitution to other suspects currently at large.
“The victims were allegedly subjected to sexual assault
before they eventually escaped and returned to Naka.
“Upon receipt of the report, officers of the command promptly
mobilised, traced and arrested the suspect who is currently
cooperating with the police on the possible apprehension of
other suspects at large.”
Meanwhile, “On 25th May,2026, at about 08:30 hours, following a distress call I received by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orokam Division that eight persons had been kidnapped by unknown armed men around Adupi, Orokam, in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of
“The Benue Commissioner of Police, in response, promptly mobilised a combined team
of Police tactical operatives, personnel of the Police Mobile
Force, and local vigilante members to the scene.
“While combing the surrounding bushes in search of the victims
and the suspects, the operatives sighted the armed suspects. A
gun duel ensued, during which the suspects were forced to flee
abandoning the eight victims who were promptly rescued unharmed and without the payment of any ransom.
“During the operation, the operatives recovered one locally
fabricated single-barrel gun and a military uniform suspected to
have been abandoned by the fleeing criminals. Investigation is ongoing, while efforts have been intensified to trace and arrest the fleeing suspects.”, he stated.
However, the explained that the breakthroughs recorded by the command, were as a resolve of the command to deny criminals space to operate in the state.
According to police commissioner, the command remains firm in pursuing offenders and bringing them before the law, adding however that security is
a shared responsibility.
In view of this he urge residents to be vigilant, cooperate with
security agencies, and endeavor to provide timely and credible information that can help prevent crime and protect lives.
While assuring the public that the police would continue to act decisively, professionally, and
within the confines of the law to keep communities safe, he appreciated residents for their continued partnership and support in combating crime.
