Benue killings: Police burst bandits hideout, nabs notorious runners

……. Recover 2GPMG, 12 AK-47 rifles, one rocket launcher.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) have apprehended two notorious illegal arms dealers and some bandits who participated in the recent herdsmen attack on Yelewata community.

The operatives, however, recovered a cache of deadly weapons in Abinsi town, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Force police public relations officer (FPPRO), ACP Muyiwa Adejobi who disclosed this in a statement, said the Police operatives successfully intercepted and dismantled a notorious arms supply syndicate responsible for arming bandits in Benue State and other North-Central States.

ACP Adejobi explained that on the 21st of June, 2025, operatives of the FID-IRT acting on credible intelligence on the activities of some bandits who participated in the Yelwata killings.

He stressed that operatives stormed the hideout of the bandits in a forest at the boundary of Kardako, Nassarawa State and Yelwata in Benue State.

He maintained that a fierce gun duel ensued causing the bandits to flee with various degrees of gunshot injuries and in the process 2 GPMG were recovered from their hideout in the process

He added that on 8th July 2025, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), in a tactical operation, along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway in Makurdi, Benue State, arrested one Abubakar Isah, aged 25, found in possession of 3 AK47 rifles and  1002 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

According to him, the arrest followed actionable intelligence indicating an impending arms movement intended for distribution to bandits groups known to be terrorizing various communities in Benue State.

“In furtherance of Police investigation on the deadly attacks by bandits on communities in Benue State, Police operatives have again successfully intercepted and dismantled a notorious arms supply syndicate responsible for arming bandits in Benue State and other North-Central States.

“Further investigations revealed that the arms and ammunition were supplied by a notorious arms dealer, Jacob Adikwu, operating from Abinsi, Guma Local Government area of Benue State, and was to be delivered to one Dan Hassan, a bandit kingpin known for orchestrating deadly attacks against communities across Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.

“In another related development, on the 12th of July, 2025, FID-IRT operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested one ibrahim AKA Chelsea, who confessed to have sent the sum of Six Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira( 6,500,000) to the same Adikwu Jacob,.

Also, “Six Million Naira (6,000,000) being payment for delivery of 2 AK47 rifles and 2000 rounds of live ammunition, while Five Hundred Thousand Naira (500,000)would serve as payment for construction of a compartment in the Volkswagen vehicle to conceal the said arms for transportation to Kwara State.  

“In a swift follow-up clearance operation, the operatives stormed Abinsi town and successfully apprehended Jacob Adikwu on 16th July 2025 and recovered three (3) AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of live ammunition and a volkswagen car from his hideout. 

Further investigation carried out by the operatives on the 17th July 2025, led to the recovery of additional five (5) AK-47 rifles, one rocket launcher, and 1000 rounds of live ammunition from the same arms dealer.

ACP maintained that efforts were being intensified to ensure Dan Hassan and other criminal elements responsible for terrorizing Benue State and other parts of the country are brought to book, while others in custody will have their day in court upon conclusion of investigation.

He added that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their doggedness at all times, and reiterated that there will be no hiding place for those who profit from the bloodshed of innocent Nigerians.

“The IGP further urges the operatives to sustain their efforts to maintaining peace in the affected areas as directed by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while reaffirming the Force’s commitment to ensuring peace and stability across the country”, the statement concluded.