Police smash illegal arms factories in Benue

…neutralise two bandits, arrest gun runner

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against crime, arresting suspected gun runners, dismantling illegal firearm manufacturing factories, foiling a fake kidnapping plot and recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition across the state.

Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this Friday at the Command Headquarters in Makurdi, saying the successes underscored the Command’s commitment to denying criminals safe haven in Benue.

According to the Commissioner, of the major breakthroughs came on July 28 when operatives attached to Guma Division intercepted two men during a routine stop-and-search operation.

While one suspect fled into a nearby bush, the other, identified as 20-year-old Joro Jakata from Awe, Nasarawa State, was arrested with 115 rounds of live 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition. The motorcycle conveying the suspects was impounded, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing accomplice.

In another intelligence-led operation, police operatives raided two illegal firearm manufacturing factories in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area, on July 29. The operation led to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, five locally made English pistols, as well as several firearm manufacturing tools and accessories.

Addressing the recent deadly attack on Efeyi Ugboju Community in Otukpo LGA, Nwadiogbu said preliminary investigations revealed that armed bandits invaded the community in a cattle rustling operation, making away with about 20 cattle before opening fire on fleeing residents, killing 13 persons.

The Police Commissioner said he personally visited the affected community for an on-the-spot assessment and subsequently ordered a tactical operation to track down the perpetrators.

He said, “During the operation, our operatives came under ambush from a gang of bandits suspected to be part of the group that attacked the community, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. The operatives responded professionally and successfully neutralised two suspected bandits. One AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of live ammunition were recovered, while other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot injuries.”

Nwadiogbu assured residents that investigations were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen cattle.

The Command also announced the dismantling of a notorious armed robbery gang operating in Buruku LGA. The operation began with the arrest of 35-year-old Ephraim Yough, who was allegedly conducting surveillance ahead of another attack. “His confession led police operatives to the gang’s hideout, where five additional suspects were arrested. A K2 rifle and a cutlass believed to have been used in previous attacks were recovered,” he said.

According to the Commissioner, preliminary investigations linked the gang to several violent crimes, including the murder of a trader in Buruku in December 2025, while efforts were continuing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.

The Command further announced the arrest of several suspects linked to cattle rustling in Okpokwu and Guma LGAs. One Mohammed Bilyaminu of Plateau State allegedly confessed to participating in the rustling of 23 cattle and his involvement in the killing of one Benjamin Paul, while two other suspects, Umar Sani and Godwin Okaa, were arrested in Guma with a dead cow recovered from them.

In separate homicide cases, police arrested a woman, Nancy Sunday, who allegedly killed her co-wife’s one-month-old baby in Gwer East LGA. Two other suspects were also arrested over the fatal stabbing of 28-year-old Igbadoo Faga in the same council area, while another suspect was arrested in Kwande following the death of a man during a violent struggle involving a locally fabricated pistol and a machete.

The Police Command also foiled a fake kidnapping plot after detectives tracked a ransom phone number to a hotel in Makurdi, where the supposed victim, Mary Torkuma, and her friend, Evergreen Samuel, were found. Investigations revealed that the pair allegedly staged the abduction to extort money from the victim’s mother.

In another development, police arrested Joy Atim in Kogi State over an alleged advance fee fraud, criminal conspiracy and threat-to-life case. The suspect reportedly confessed to belonging to a criminal syndicate and is assisting investigators to apprehend other members.

The Commissioner also disclosed that police arrested a suspect after responding to gunshots in Ohimini, recovering a double-barrel gun, three live cartridges and a knife. In Makurdi, two suspects were arrested over the alleged trafficking and sale of a two-year-old child.

He stated that Command’s operational achievements during the period under review included the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, one K2 rifle, six locally fabricated English pistols, one double-barrel gun, 130 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, two rounds of 9mm ammunition, three live cartridges, one knife and one machete.

Reaffirming the Command’s commitment to combating crime, the Police Commissioner said, “these breakthroughs reflect our resolve to deny criminals any space to operate in Benue State. While we remain firm in pursuing offenders and bringing them before the law, we also recognise that security is a shared responsibility.”

He appealed to residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies, assuring that the Command would continue to act professionally and decisively to protect lives and property across the state.

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