By TYAV SAM TYAV, Makurdi
Brothers said to have specialized in the manufacturing of guns were arrested by the Benue State Police Command, the State Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Emmanuel Adesina has said.
Addressing journalists, Wednesday in his office in Makurdi, the new Commissioner of Police revealed that on February 7, 2024, one Precious Ebuka Chukwu of Onitsa Anambra State was arrested at Agu in Vandeikya after which an on the spot search conducted on the suspect, led to the recovery of three (3) locally made berretta pistols and this also led the team of Police to the hideout of his regular suppliers; one Tyav Wuese and Tyav Terkuma blacksmiths of Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area who specialize in fabricating guns who were also arrested and would soon be charged to court.
The CP disclosed also that
on February 21, 2024 one George Aondosoo Ayua of Asase 1, North Bank, Makurdi was kidnapped and his kidnappers were asking for six million naira (N6,000,000) to be paid as ransom but the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force were deployed to rescue the victim and arrest suspects which after a diligent trial of the suspects led the team to a hideout at Abua village, km.16 Gboko Road Makurdi where the victim was held hostage by his captors.
He explained that the victim was rescued unhurt while two members of the gang, one Ayua Moses and Azua Samson of different addresses in Makurdi were arrested in connection with the crime and investigation was ongoing to arrest other suspects at large.
Adesina revealed also that dreaded armed bandits led by one Chen and Iorpuu Ayangeer blocked Tse-Kperse, Naindo-Zaki-Biam road and abducted one Aornen Kpor ’a member of Benue State Volunteer Guard, who was travelling along the route.
During investigation, the CP continued, that one Vanen Mnyim and Adera Terseer both of Ngenev, Ukum Local Government Area were arrested in connection with the case and the suspects confessed to the crime and led the Police team to a bush at Adogo village were the victim was killed and buried in a shallow grave where the corpse has been exhumed and deposited at the hospital for autopsy and proper burial even as investigation was ongoing.
The command, the CP informed arrested another gang on Makurdi – Naka and the gang members were Oryina Kumshi, Terzungwe and Philip Tyohie who were arested at Adeke and have confessed to have been involved in four robbery operations on Naka road and neighboring communities that led to loss of lives and properties.
According to the CP “Particularly, they confessed to have been part of the robbery and killing of a female youth corps member, one Irene Chioma Emmanuel whom they killed while she was trying to protect her laptop from them. A knife and the live ammunition were recovered from them.”
Adesina noted that while police officers in collaboration with Community Volunteer Guards were on patrol at Adoka, they intercepted one Echoche and Inalegwu Anebi in a dark corner where they were suspected to have laid ambush for commuters. One single barrel gun, ATM cards and one locally made revolver short gun loaded with five rounds of ammunition were recovered from them as investigation according to him was ongoing.
The Benue State Police boss expressed the belief that the last three weeks which the command had been able to carry out some reforms in the area of deployment and re-orientation of officers on the need to be professional in carrying out their duties has made the command to record such achievements.
Under my watch, the CP assured that the command would continue to fight crime and make the state a better place for peaceful coexistence.
” I therefore, call on the good people of the state to support the police with useful and timely information that is capable of preventing crime.”