By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has arrested a 60-year-old man for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl in Igumale, Ado Local Government Area of the state.
The police also arrested a suspect, identified as Hemen Wuese, over alleged physical abuse of two children in Injorov Village, Turan, Kwande Local Government Area, which reportedly resulted in the death of one of them.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Tuesday during his monthly media briefing in Makurdi, where he outlined the command’s operational achievements and efforts to combat crime across the state.
According to him, the alleged defilement case was reported on October 13, 2026. He said the victim was taken for medical examination and necessary treatment, while investigations were ongoing.
Nwadiogbu assured the public that the case would be handled in accordance with the law, with the victim’s privacy and welfare protected.
Police Investigate Death of Child Following Alleged Abuse
The police commissioner also disclosed that a report was received at the Jato-Aka Division on October 5 concerning the alleged abuse of two children in Injorov Village, Turan, Kwande Local Government Area.
He said the children were reportedly subjected to severe physical abuse over an allegation involving ₦14,500.
According to the commissioner, the suspect allegedly kept the children under the sun for an extended period before grinding pepper and inserting it into their private parts. One of the children reportedly died, while the other survived.
Nwadiogbu said police operatives had commenced investigations to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
He added that the body of the deceased child had been deposited for an autopsy, while the surviving child had been rescued and was reported to be in stable condition.
Police Arrest 34 Foreign Nationals
The commissioner further disclosed that the command arrested 34 foreign nationals suspected of engaging in clandestine activities during the period under review.
He said 16 Cameroonian nationals were arrested in Otukpo Local Government Area on October 9 after they allegedly failed to produce the required travel documents.
The suspects were taken into custody for investigation and verification of their immigration status, with relevant authorities expected to be involved as necessary.
Similarly, on October 22, police operatives intercepted 18 Nigerien nationals at Orokam in Ogbadibo Local Government Area while they were reportedly travelling to Ikom in Cross River State.
Nwadiogbu said the suspects were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation following concerns about their circumstances of entry into Nigeria and their inability to provide satisfactory explanations for their journey.
He said the command was working to establish the relevant facts and would involve the Nigeria Immigration Service for profiling and any further action required under the law.
The commissioner emphasised that investigations into the cases were ongoing and that any subsequent action would be guided by the evidence and applicable legal procedures.
Benue Police Rescue 29 Kidnapped Victims
The police command also reported the rescue of 29 kidnapped victims in separate operations across the state.
Nwadiogbu said a commercial vehicle was attacked along the Uzer Village axis of the Ayilamo–Tse-Abi Road in Logo Local Government Area on October 5, during which the driver was killed and four passengers abducted.
Following the incident, police personnel, working with Operation Whirl Stroke, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local hunters, launched a search-and-rescue operation that led to the rescue of the four passengers.
In another operation on October 7, security personnel rescued 17 farmers from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in Bamun Village, Tombo District, Logo Local Government Area.
The operation involved personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local vigilantes.
The commissioner said the intervention demonstrated the command’s commitment to protecting rural communities and enabling residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear of attacks.
He also disclosed that eight kidnapped victims were rescued in Ohimini Local Government Area following an incident reported on October 13 along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road, near Ipiga Village.
According to him, a Reverend Father and other persons returning from the market were reportedly abducted.
Through sustained search-and-rescue operations involving police personnel, the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, two victims were rescued on October 16, while six others were rescued on October 18.
The rescued victims were taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical examinations and necessary treatment.
Nwadiogbu said two suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident and remained under investigation.
He attributed the successes to timely responses, intelligence sharing and collaboration among security agencies and community-based security groups.
Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Recover Seven Firearms
The commissioner said the command had intensified operations against cultism, illegal possession of firearms, threats and other criminal activities capable of undermining public peace.
He disclosed that two suspects were arrested along Aondona–Naka Road in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area, on September 25, with a locally fabricated revolver pistol, two expended rounds of ammunition, a mobile phone and suspected criminal charms recovered.
On September 26, operatives of the ‘D’ Division in Makurdi arrested two suspects following information that some individuals were allegedly brandishing a firearm during a youth meeting. A pistol was recovered during the operation.
Similarly, on September 30, operatives of the Aliade Division arrested a suspect and recovered two locally fabricated pistols, ammunition and suspected criminal charms.
In a separate operation on October 22, police operatives in Katsina-Ala arrested three suspects following a complaint involving alleged threats and the destruction of a fence arising from a land dispute.
Items recovered included two locally fabricated pistols, four live cartridges, one live 9mm ammunition, an axe, suspected criminal charms, suspected illicit substances, mobile phones, ATM cards and items bearing cult-related inscriptions.
The recovered items included a banner bearing the inscription “De Norsemen Kclub International.”
The police commissioner said investigations were ongoing to establish the suspects’ individual roles and determine whether they were linked to other criminal activities.
Three Suspects Arrested Over Alleged Cult Attack
Nwadiogbu also disclosed that a resident was reportedly attacked by suspected cultists along Maiduguri Street, Wadata, Makurdi, on October 14.
He said police investigations led to the arrest of three suspects in connection with the incident.
The victim was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Apir, where he later died.
According to the commissioner, the suspects remained under investigation as the command worked to establish their individual roles and the circumstances surrounding the death.
Suspected Bandit Neutralised in Katsina-Ala
The command also reported an encounter with suspected bandits along Amaafu–Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on October 2.
Nwadiogbu said the incident followed a reported attack on personnel of the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force.
During the encounter, one suspected bandit was neutralised, while a locally fabricated firearm was recovered. Other suspected members of the group reportedly fled the scene.
He added that no security personnel were reported killed or injured during the encounter.
Police Reaffirm Commitment to Public Safety
The commissioner said the command would continue to investigate serious offences, including sexual offences, violence against children, homicide, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
He stressed that suspects would be dealt with in accordance with the law and that prosecution would depend on the evidence established during investigations.
According to the operational summary presented by the command, the achievements recorded during the period under review included:
– 29 kidnapped victims rescued
– 34 foreign nationals apprehended for immigration-related verification and investigation
– 14 suspects arrested, as stated in the operational summary
– Seven locally fabricated firearms recovered
– One suspected bandit neutralised
– 16 rounds of ammunition and cartridges recovered, according to the summary
Nwadiogbu said the results reflected the importance of intelligence-led policing, prompt responses to distress reports, sustained patrols and cooperation with other security agencies and community stakeholders.
He assured residents that the command would sustain its efforts to combat crime, protect lives and property, and maintain peace across Benue State.
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