Police Arrest 18 Suspects Over Killings, Arson In Benue Community

The Benue State Police Command has announced the arrest of eighteen (18) suspected bandits in connection with the Wednesday, July 3, 2024 killings and destruction of properties in Ukum local government area of the state

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Catherine Anene who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, explained that the Command received information from the Ukum Police Division that suspected bandits had attacked a village in Ayati community of Ukum local government area where six persons were killed.

Anene said police teams were immediately deployed to the community to prevent further attacks.

According to her, “At about 0800hrs, violent protesters in hundreds began a protest obviously sponsored by criminals to unleash mayhem on the people and destabilise security network that has prevented them from operating freely in the area especially with recent successful operations that dislodged several bandit camps in the last two months.

“During this violent protest, personal and government properties were destroyed. These hoodlums also made an attempt to invade Ukum Police Division but were repelled by officers on guard duty.”

The Benue Police spokesperson informed that the Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Hassan Yabanet has since moved to the area with tactical teams and heads of other security agents to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

She disclosed that, “Eighteen suspects have been arrested and investigation is ongoing.”

The PPRO recalled that Ukum is at the boundary area between Benue and Taraba States which has been a turbulent area in the state.

Crisis in the area increased after the death of the dreaded popular ‘Gana,’ which has attracted the highest deployment of security agents in the state.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the local government office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was razed by the violent protesters on Wednesday where the building and office items were totally destroyed.

The police image maker explained that the deployment of operatives to the area was made to curtail activities of bandits that are found in the three local government areas of Ukum, Logo and Kastina-Ala.