The Benue State Police Command has announced the rescue of 29 kidnapping victims and the arrest of 48 suspects during security operations conducted across the state in October.
Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu disclosed the figures on Tuesday in Makurdi while presenting the command’s operational report for the month.
He said the operations also resulted in the recovery of seven locally fabricated firearms and the killing of a suspected bandit during an encounter with security personnel.
Among those arrested were 34 foreign nationals whose immigration status is being investigated in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Nwadiogbu explained that 16 Cameroonians were apprehended in Otukpo on October 9 over concerns relating to their travel documents, while 18 Nigeriens were intercepted at Orokam on October 22 while travelling towards Ikom in Cross River State.
He stressed that investigations would determine their immigration status and whether further legal action was necessary.
Providing details of the kidnapping incidents, the commissioner said four passengers were rescued after gunmen attacked a commercial vehicle along the Ayilamo–Tse-Abi Road in Logo Local Government Area on October 5.
The vehicle’s driver was killed during the attack, while the passengers were subsequently freed through a joint operation involving police personnel, Operation Whirl Stroke, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local hunters.
Two days later, security operatives rescued 17 farmers abducted from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in Bamun Village, also in Logo.
Another eight victims, including a Catholic priest, were rescued following an abduction along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road in Ohimini Local Government Area on October 13.
Two were freed on October 16, while the remaining six regained their freedom on October 18.
The victims received medical attention at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, while two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
Beyond kidnapping, Nwadiogbu disclosed that the command was investigating several violent crimes, including child abuse, homicide and suspected cult-related attacks.
He said Hemen Wuese was arrested following the alleged abuse of two children in Kwande Local Government Area over an accusation involving ₦14,500.
One child died, while the survivor was rescued and reported to be in stable condition.
Three suspects were also arrested following a suspected cult-related attack in Makurdi that resulted in a resident’s death.
In another case, a 60-year-old man was apprehended over the alleged sexual abuse of a 10-year-old girl in Ado Local Government Area.
The commissioner added that security operatives killed a suspected bandit during an October 2 operation along Amaafu–Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala.
Nwadiogbu urged residents to provide credible intelligence to security agencies, reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives and prosecuting suspected offenders in accordance with the law.
Ezeana Emmanuel
