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According to punch newspaper, the Benue State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 42 suspects in connection with the recent spate of killings and insecurity in various parts of the state. The State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, made the disclosure during his first official press briefing held Wednesday night at the police officers’ mess in Makurdi, the state capital. The suspects, he said, include both armed herdsmen and local bandits who have been linked to attacks in several communities across Benue.

Commissioner Emenari, who assumed duty in the state on April 26, 2025, following his posting two days earlier, stated that since his arrival, the command has intensified efforts to combat criminal activities by deploying tactical teams to crisis-prone areas. He said he undertook visits to major flashpoints including Ankpali in Apa, Naka in Gwer West, Ayilamo in Logo, Amafu in Katsina-Ala, and parts of Ukum, Agatu, Udei, and Yogbo in Guma Local Government Areas, where criminal elements had been wreaking havoc. “I discovered that farmlands had been abandoned and farmers had fled. It was clear we needed to act fast,” he said.

Emenari explained that since the deployment of tactical squads to these areas, significant progress has been made, including the apprehension of 42 individuals suspected of involvement in armed attacks. “Most of these arrests were made in the past one month. They include suspected armed herdsmen and local bandits,” he noted. According to him, while some of the suspects have already been arraigned in court, others are still undergoing investigation. “About 10 of the herdsmen arrested have been remanded by the courts, and more will be charged once investigations are concluded,” he added.

In terms of weapons recovery, the Commissioner revealed that two AK-47 rifles and 21 locally made firearms were seized from the arrested suspects. He described the seizure as a significant step in disarming criminal elements operating in the state. He also emphasized that the police had intensified efforts to retrieve illegal arms and curb their circulation, especially in rural areas where the majority of attacks have occurred. “These weapons are often used to terrorize law-abiding citizens and farmers. We are committed to taking them off the streets,” Emenari said.

Beyond banditry and herdsmen-related violence, the Commissioner noted that the state command has also recorded progress in tackling cultism, which has been a persistent threat in urban and semi-urban areas of Benue. He said proactive strategies by the command have led to a noticeable decline in cult-related attacks over the past month. “We have taken the war to their hideouts. Our presence in known hotspots has sent a strong message that cult activities will no longer be tolerated,” he said. He further explained that preventive policing, intelligence gathering, and community cooperation have played a key role in these efforts.

Emenari also spoke on the issue of kidnapping, which has affected both locals and travelers on key routes like the Makurdi–Lafia federal highway. He confirmed that several suspected kidnappers have been arrested and prosecuted in connection with recent abductions. “We are working round the clock to ensure the safety of commuters and residents,” he stated. The Commissioner appealed to citizens to support the police through timely information sharing and community vigilance, assuring that under his leadership, the command would remain firm and professional in the pursuit of peace and security throughout Benue State.

 

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