Five members of armed robbery and kidnapping gangs have been killed during an operation carried out by men of the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force in conjunction with the military and Police Mobile Force Tactical Teams in Benue State.
This was made known by the Commissioner of Police, Benue State, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, on Friday during a press briefing held at the state headquarters on updates regarding various security operations and successes recorded by the command.
CP Nwadiogbu revealed that men of the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force had earlier arrested two armed robbery and kidnapping suspects who confessed to being members of a syndicate. They subsequently led men of the JTF to their hideout located within Makurdi Local Government Area for the recovery of arms, but were met with heavy gunfire from other members, which led to the death of three members of the gang.
According to him, items recovered include one AK-47 rifle with breech number 56-203447, three 7.62x39mm rounds of live ammunition, one locally fabricated short gun and assorted criminal charms. He disclosed that their corpses have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.
Similarly, CP said on 28th June, 2026 at about 8:00pm, a detachment of Police Mobile Force Tactical Teams, the military and the Civil Protection Guards were deployed to the scene of a robbery at a shopping mall along Tor-Donga road on the Katsina-Ala-Taraba road, where the suspects also engaged the team in a gun duel. He explained that in the process, two suspects sustained fatal bullet injuries and were taken to the Comprehensive Health Centre, Tor-Donga, where they were later confirmed dead while their corpses were equally deposited at the same hospital.
He listed the items recovered from the gang to include one AK-47 rifle with breech number 10112 and six rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and one pistol with eight rounds of 9mm live ammunition, noting that exhibits are in the custody of the military while investigation continues.
Other successes recorded according to him, also include the arrest of the mastermind of the death of 58-year-old Professor Gabriel Saawua of Reverend Father Moses Adasu University, Makurdi, and one John Nyito, in his residence in the Adaka area of Makurdi suburb.
“Putting all security formations on red alert, one 23-year-old Abdullahi Usman of Awe in Nasarawa State was arrested at an NDLEA checkpoint in Lafia, Nasarawa State, while escaping. Efforts are being made to establish his motive, arrest his conspirators, and recover their weapons and other exhibits. Investigation is also in progress. Their corpses have been deposited at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital here in Makurdi.
“In addition, ten suspects were also arrested in connection with the death of Ardo Risku Rabo Mohammed and one Yakubu Isa, who were earlier attacked and murdered by unknown gunmen on their way back from a meeting along Okwudu-Ogoli in Otukpo Local Government Area, after they attended a security meeting at the Divisional Police Headquarters at Idekpa in Ohimini Local Government Area. Tactical teams were immediately deployed to the area and ten suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of the MACBAN Chairman, Ardo Risku Rabo Mohammed, and one Yakubu Isa. Investigation is ongoing.”
Equally, men of the Nigeria Police, Benue State Command, recovered two motorcycles in Guma Local Government Area, as well as arrested five other suspects for mischief after they allowed their cows to graze on farms and destroy crops. “Seven suspected cultists were also arrested in Naka, Gwer-West Local Government Area during the burial of the youth leader, Peter Iorkohol, in the area. Ten members of cults were also arrested within Makurdi metropolis after a raid on their various hideouts.”
“Following intelligence reports, seven suspicious Pakistani nationals, aged between 21 and 35, with valid travel documents were arrested at Leach Hotel, Otukpo, where they were lodged. They were taken to the state headquarters in Makurdi for profiling and further investigation to ascertain their motives. These were among other breakthroughs recorded by the Benue State Police Command within the period under review.”
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has established a “Handshake” inter-boundary patrol team between Benue and Kogi states to ensure a safer highway as well as curtail cross-border crimes. The synergy between the two states, according to CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, will further enhance intelligence gathering and the tracking and subsequent arrest of criminals. He promised to establish similar cooperation with other neighboring states that share common boundaries with Benue State.
CP Nwadiogbu stated that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to protecting lives and property, enforcing the law with professionalism, and strengthening collaboration with the media and the communities it serves. He thanked the media in the state for their dedication and responsible reportage, and expressed his anticipation of a productive and engaging interaction.
