Abduction, Rescue And Alia’s Commitment To Degrading Criminals In Benue

Two significant events occurred in Benue State within a week. Both amplifying the resolve of the Benue State Government to protect the lives and dignity of residents in line with its constitutional duties.

Benue has been contending with spats of insecurity like many other states in the country and the government of Rev. Fr Hyacinth Iormem Alia has not left anything to chance. It has in about three years now being working very closely with security agencies, and even set up a 5000 strong community watch security outfit to reinforce security and ensure the protection of citizens.

It is such collaboration that led to one of significant events that occurred this week – the rescue of nine children kidnapped from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, Utonkon community in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.

The children were abducted during a midnight prayer session on February 8, 2026. The government immediately triggered a security alarm mobilising security agencies to go after the criminals and rescue the children alive and unharmed. This was effectively accomplished.

According to the Commissioner of Police in Benue, CP Emenari Ifeanyi, all the victims—six boys and three girls—have been safely reunited with their families.

It was a massive operation involving the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) backed by combat helicopter, alongside a fully armed aerial tactical team which reinforced the ground operations.

Three days after the abduction on February 11, operatives arrested two suspects and recovered five rounds of ammunition and a follow-up operations led to the arrest of two additional suspects and the recovery of one AK-47 rifle while the operation continues to apprehend other members of the criminal network involved in the abduction.

The Commissioner identified the perpetrators as bandits operating within the Utonkon axis and parts of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, particularly Abende and Anwase.

The operation did not stop with the arrest of the three suspected bandits, but was effectively handled using the air components to launch attacks against the other criminals in Anwase and Jato-Aka, which effectively dislodged alot of the criminal elements, thereby restoring calm to the affected areas.

With the ongoing operations by the combined team of the DSS, military, civil defence, civil protection guards, and local hunters, Benue would no longer serve as a safe haven for bandits displaced from neighboring states.

This operation has not stopped. It has continued. The sustained operations would continue until criminal activities are fully rooted out.

The rescue of the children has elicited excitement among citizens, raising hope for a better, secure and tranquil tomorrow, where every responsible citizen will go about their normal businesses without fear in line with the pledge of Governor Alia.

According to the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Chief Solomon Iorpev, the rescue is a testament of the unwavering commitment of Governor Alia to enhance security and peace across the state.

To Chief Iorpev and all responsible citizens, the successful rescue on February 14, 2026, is a reaffirmation of the governor’s resolve to make Benue a peaceful environment where communities can live without fear.

The state government has remained steadfast in its collaboration with security agencies to prevent turning Benue to a haven for kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements.

The second significant event is the visit to Anwase where bandits recently invaded the village on market day, killed many and destroyed properties. It was a solemn event, but full of hope for a secure future.

One key issue is the bad state of the road leading to the area, which criminals take advantage of. Governor Alia announced with flourish that the road will be rehabilitated before the onset of the rainy season.

The Governor explained that the road project would facilitate effective patrol by security agencies and enhance rapid response to security threats.

“The grading of the road, including the construction of culverts and some bridges would commence immediately and be completed before the onset of the rainy season,” he said.

In addition to the road project, electricity supply in Anwase will be re-energize, solar streetlights reactivated, and potable water sources provided for Nyihemba and Anwase communities.

These confidence building interventions were followed with the donation of ten motorcycles to strengthen border patrol and replace those taken away by bandits. Similarly, more motorbikes would be deployed to improve surveillance in the area.

The state government is also working with network providers to install a booster station in the area to enhance communication services. The governor has directed his special adviser on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Fidelis Unongu, to ensure that the project is completed before the end of the month.

There were also assurances by the governor that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ordered full reinforcement of troops to the affected areas. The target is clear – permanently address the problem and restore lasting peace.

No doubt, the people of Turan have shown uncommon resilience in the face of adversity, and the Alia administration remains steadfast in its resolve to secure lives, restore normalcy, and accelerate development across the affected communities.

Even the local council has been contributing to the security efforts as testified by the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Mr. Vitalis Neji, who said the council has procured speed boats to enhance patrol of the waterways, which are being exploited by the bandits to wreck havoc.

The traditional ruler of the area, the Ter Kwande, HRH Chief Engr. Timothy Ahile, says government should work with relevant federal agencies to ensure proper border demarcation between Kwande Local Government Area and neighbouring local governments in Taraba State, where he alleged the bulk of the bandits have camps from where they launch their attacks.

On this, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr. Ekon Esoquo assured that security agencies are also intensifying border patrols and robust surveillance to secure the waterways.

Bridget Ikyado

Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media Publicity and Communications Strategy