The Benue State Police Command has rescued 29 kidnapped victims and arrested 34 foreign nationals during security operations across the state in October.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the command’s operational report to journalists at the police headquarters in Makurdi. He attributed the achievements to intelligence-led operations and cooperation among security agencies, community security groups and local hunters.

Nwadiogbu said four passengers abducted when gunmen attacked a commercial vehicle along the Uzer village axis of Ayilamo-Tse-Abi Road in Logo Local Government Area were rescued on October 5. The operation involved the police, Operation Whirl Stroke, Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local hunters.

He added that 17 farmers abducted from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in Bamun village, Tombo District, Logo LGA, were rescued on October 7. Eight other victims, including a Catholic priest, also regained their freedom after being abducted along Ugbokolo-Ajegbe-Awume Road in Ohimini Local Government Area on October 13.

The police commissioner further disclosed that 34 foreign nationals were arrested in two separate operations. According to him, 16 Cameroonian nationals were apprehended in Otukpo Local Government Area on October 9 after allegedly failing to produce the required travel documents. On October 22, officers intercepted 18 Nigerien nationals at Orokam while they were reportedly travelling to Ikom in Cross River State.

Nwadiogbu explained that the foreign nationals were taken into custody for investigation and verification of their immigration status. He said the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant authorities would participate in determining the circumstances surrounding their entry into Nigeria and their movements within the country. He added that investigations were ongoing.

The commissioner also reported the arrest of several suspects in operations targeting suspected cultists and other alleged offenders in Naka, Makurdi, Aliade and Gwer East. Items recovered included seven locally made firearms, 16 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, charms, mobile phones and ATM cards. He further disclosed that a suspected bandit was killed during a gun battle with Operation Zenda operatives along Amaafu-Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala LGA on October 2, with a locally fabricated firearm recovered after the encounter.

ALSO READ

• Police confirm killing of Katsina cleric 
• Police Arrest 40-Year-Old Man for Alleged Killing of Pregnant Girlfriend in Edo

Nwadiogbu urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to help tackle criminal activities across Benue State. He stressed bthat public cooperation remained essential to preventing crime and protecting lives and property.