Killings: Police arrests 42 armed bandits in Benue

….as 10 herders remanded in prison

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Benue State Police  Command, said it has arrested 42 local armed bandits and herders across some communities with respect of the incessant killings in the state. 

The State Commissioner of Police(CP) Ifeanyi Emenari who disclosed this during his maiden media briefing held at the police officer mess Makurdi, 10 armed Fulani herdsmen had also been sent to remand and awaiting trial with many others undergoing investigation. 

Emenari added that most of the suspects were arrested upon his assumption of duty in the last one month. 

According to him, command had taken the fight to those responsible for the attacks and killings in Benue communities, stressing that tactical teams have already been drafted to flashpoints across communities in the state. 

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“I was posted to Benue State on the 24/04/2025 and assumed duty on the 26 April 2025. Upon assumption of duty, I step up strategic plans to tackle insecurity in the state. 

“I visited crisis areas such as Ankpali in  Apa, Naka in Gwer West, Ayilamo in Logo, Amafu in Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Agatu, Udei, Yogbo in  Guma Local Government Areas, and many others. 

“I had discovered that farmlands have no farmers. Therefore, we have deployed our tactical teams to the  areas and are now  combing the communities in search of the killers.

“We have a mandate to ensure that these communities are safe for the people to go back to their homes and engage in farming activities. 

“And in the last one month we have arrested 42 armed herdsmen and local bandits from these communities. Most of them have been charged to court. 

“We also have about 10 herdsmen who have been remanded by the courts in the course of their trial. 

“Apart from those already charged to court, there are others who are still being investigated and they would be charged to court at the end of investigations.” 

” The command also recovered two AK47 rifles and 21 locally made firearms from the suspects. We had taken the fight to cult gangs in the state

 “That is why we have not witnessed or recorded cult related attacks in the state in the last one month since I assumed office.

The kidnap incidents that happen regularly along Makurdi – Lafia  federal highway have reduced drastically as we have arrested those perpetrating the acts and are currently in jail.

“We have designed a plan to respond to any distress call within 30mns depending on the locations within the state”, Emenari added 

The CP assured that the command would ensure that peace and security is restored to every nook and cranny of the state.

He appealed to Benue people particularly in the rural communities and urban centres to cooperate with the police in its task of ensuring the security of lives and property in the state. 

He thanked Governor Hyacinth Alia for his  support to the Command, maintaining that his desire to ensure peace and security in the state would be achieved.

“All the governor wanted, to  make sure farmers go back to their farms and people are provided with adequate security to enable them to go on with their lawful business. We are ready to achieve that with the governor support”, he said