The Benue State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its war against crime with the arrest of 10 suspects, rescue of eight kidnapped victims and neutralisation of three armed bandits in a series of operations carried out across the state between May and June 2026.
The Command also recovered 17 firearms of different types, 36 rounds of ammunition, one military camouflage, one motorcycle, six charms and one axe during the operations.
State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Makurdi on Friday.
According to him, one of the major successes recorded was the rescue of eight kidnapped victims abducted at Adupi in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area, without the payment of ransom.
Nwadiogbu explained that following a distress call received by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Orokam on May 25, 2026, the Command immediately deployed a combined team of tactical operatives, Police Mobile Force personnel and local vigilantes to the area.
“While combing the surrounding bushes in search of the victims and the suspects, the operatives sighted the armed kidnappers. A gun duel ensued, forcing the suspects to flee and abandon the eight victims, who were rescued unharmed without paying any ransom,” he said.
The police boss added that operatives recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel gun and a military camouflage believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing criminals, while efforts were ongoing to arrest the suspects.
Nwadiogbu also revealed that the Command arrested a 40-year-old woman, Ashide Nyityon, for allegedly trafficking two sisters from Benue State to Ghana under the false promise of securing jobs for them.
According to him, the suspect allegedly sold the victims into prostitution after taking them to Ghana, where they were sexually assaulted before escaping and returning to Nigeria.
“On May 22, 2026, one Grace Hari, 22, reported that she and her sister were lured from Naka to Lagos by Ashide Nyityon with the promise of employment. Instead, they were taken to Ghana and allegedly sold into prostitution to other suspects now at large.
“The victims later escaped and returned to Naka. Following the report, police operatives tracked and arrested the suspect, who is currently assisting investigators in the effort to apprehend other members of the trafficking syndicate,” the Commissioner stated.
He further disclosed that the Command also arrested a woman who allegedly abandoned her newborn twin babies shortly after delivery. The suspect, he said, is currently in police custody while investigations continue.
The Commissioner attributed the recent successes to the Command’s determination to deny criminals any safe haven in Benue State.
He assured residents that the police would remain relentless in pursuing criminals and bringing them to justice.
While urging members of the public to remain vigilant, Nwadiogbu stressed that security is a collective responsibility and appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
He assured that the police would continue to operate professionally and within the law to safeguard lives and property across the state, while appreciating residents for their continued support in the fight against crime.
