Police Kill 6 Bandits In Benue

Benue State Police have killed Six Local bandits terrorising Sankara, which comprised Katsina/Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government areas.

They were gunned down by the men of Operation Zenda, a joint Security task force in the State and recovered arms and ammunition.

Police Public Relations Officer Catherine Anene, who disclosed this in a statement, explained that following an intelligence report received about a bandit camp at Mbavuur ward in Logo LG, a team of Operation Zenda JTF stormed the camp and engaged the militia group in a gun duel. During the operation, six (6) bandits were neutralised.

According to her, other members of the group escaped. Corpses were recovered and deposited at NKST Ugba morgue while fleeing suspects are still being trailed. “Items recovered from the scene include; one (1) AK-47 rifle and two (2) locally fabricated short guns loaded with ammunition,” she said.

In another development, the PPRO informed that Tersoo Dabo ‘m’, 22 years old, of Udei, was arrested in connection with robberies along Makurdi -Lafia road.

The suspect confessed to being part of a seven-man gang operating along the highway. Further investigation led to the arrest of one Martin Akunu  ‘m’, 37 years old and also of Udei town. He is the spiritual leader of the said gang, who fortifies them before going out for operations. One locally made double barrel, 162 balls suspected to be local ammunition, and gunpowder were found in his possession.

Anene maintained that “On the 28/7/2024 at about 1000hrs, a police patrol team at Daudu arrested a suspected kidnapper, one Usman Hardo ‘m’ of Keana who has been on the wanted list for kidnapping and cattle rustling in Nasarawa state and Guma Local Government Area of Benue state.

The investigation is ongoing to arrest other gang members.”

Anene quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Hassan Yabanet, as commending the good people of the state for their continuous support to the police and resilience in fighting crime with the assurance that the command, under his watch, is committed to ridding the state of criminality.