The Benue Police Command announced on Thursday the arrest of 32 suspected cultists and gunrunners in the state.
The disclosure was made in a statement issued by the Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet, and shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.
Yabanet revealed that on November 14, the C Division of the Nigerian Police in Makurdi received a report about a young man’s corpse discovered near the North Bank area of the town.
He explained that detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene, and investigations revealed that the victim had died during a clash between rival cult groups.
Commissioner of Police Steve Yabanet stated that on November 17 and 18, a joint operation involving the police, Army, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) raided multiple hideouts based on intelligence reports.
During the operation, 18 suspected cultists were apprehended at Avis Hotel and other locations in North Bank, with illicit drugs found in their possession.
Yabanet further disclosed that another joint operation on November 19, involving the Command’s Cyber Crime, Eagle Eye, and Anti-Cult units, led to the arrest of 14 additional suspected cultists.
Items recovered during the raids included two locally made pistols, three live cartridges, a single-barrel gun, three ATM cards, criminal charms, a shisha pot, a laptop, and a graven image.
Additional items recovered from the suspects included suspected marijuana leaves, six mobile phones, and ₦23,670 in cash. The Commissioner of Police stated that all suspects would soon be prosecuted in court.
He further revealed that on November 18, during routine stop-and-search operations along the Ikyobo-Agbede Road in Ushongo Local Government Area, the police intercepted a man identified as Daniel Emmanuel riding a motorcycle.
Upon searching him, officers discovered two locally made pistols in his bag and seized a Bajaj motorcycle. The CP noted that investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the firearms and Emmanuel’s intended recipients.
Commissioner Yabanet stated that the police have intensified efforts to crack down on criminal elements in Benue State. He emphasized that the recent successes highlight the command’s dedication to eliminating crime and criminality in the state.
He also assured residents of the continued protection of their rights and the guarantee of their safety and security.
“I urge the good people of the state to collaborate with the police by providing timely and useful information,” he said.
Yabanet added that the command’s dedicated operatives have made significant strides in combating armed robbers, cultists, and other criminal activities during the period under review.
