Police arrest 34 foreign nationals, rescue 29 kidnap victims in Benue

…Recover seven firearms, ammunition, arrest suspected cultists

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Benue State Police Command has arrested 34 foreign nationals, rescued 29 kidnap victims and recovered seven locally fabricated firearms in separate security operations across the state in October 2026.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference at the command headquarters in Makurdi, where he briefed journalists on the command’s operational activities and security situation in the state.

Nwadiogbu attributed the rescue of the kidnap victims to coordinated operations involving the police and other security agencies, stressing that the command remained committed to tackling kidnapping, cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other criminal activities.

On the arrest of the foreign nationals, the police commissioner said operatives arrested 16 Cameroonian nationals in Otukpo Local Government Area on October 9, 2026, after they allegedly failed to produce the required travel documents.

He explained that the suspects were taken into custody for investigation and verification of their immigration status, adding that preliminary findings had raised concerns about their activities.

According to him, the police were working to establish the facts surrounding their presence in the country and would involve the appropriate authorities to determine the next course of action in accordance with the law.

In a related operation on October 22, 2026, the command intercepted 18 Nigerien nationals at Orokam while they were reportedly traveling to Ikom in Cross River State.

The commissioner said the foreign nationals were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation following concerns about their circumstances of entry into Nigeria and their inability to provide satisfactory explanations regarding their journey.

He added that the command was taking steps to establish the relevant facts in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other appropriate authorities for profiling and any further action required under the law.

On efforts to curb cultism and related criminal activities, Nwadiogbu disclosed that the police had arrested suspected cultists in separate operations in Naka, Makurdi, Aliade in Gwer West Local Government Area and other locations across the state.

Items recovered during the operations included seven locally fabricated firearms, 16 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, charms, mobile phones and ATM cards.

The police commissioner also recounted an encounter involving personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force along Amaafu–Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on October 2, 2026.

He said the incident followed a reported attack on the security personnel, adding that one suspected bandit was neutralised during the ensuing encounter, while a locally fabricated firearm was recovered.

According to him, other suspected members of the group fled the scene, while no security personnel were reported killed or injured during the incident.

Nwadiogbu reaffirmed the command’s determination to take lawful and decisive action against criminal activities, particularly kidnapping, cult-related violence, illegal possession of firearms and other threats to public safety.

He, however, emphasised that sustainable security could not be achieved through law enforcement alone, calling for greater cooperation between residents, community leaders and security agencies.

The commissioner urged residents to resolve disputes through lawful means and promptly report threats, suspicious movements and other activities that could undermine peace and security in their communities.

“While we remain determined to identify, arrest and bring offenders to justice through lawful means, we recognise that lasting security requires the cooperation of all stakeholders,” he said.

He further appealed to residents to remain vigilant, provide credible information to the police and other relevant security agencies, and support ongoing efforts to maintain peace across Benue State.