The new Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, has vowed to rid the state of criminal elements, assuring residents that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.
Speaking on Friday during his maiden press briefing at the Benue State Police Command headquarters in Makurdi, the police chief said the command had recorded significant breakthroughs in tackling armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, gender-based violence, human trafficking and other crimes.
According to him, between May and June 2026, police operatives arrested 10 suspects, rescued eight kidnapped victims, neutralised three armed bandits and recovered 17 firearms and 36 rounds of ammunition.
Nwadiogbu also disclosed the arrest of a 22-year-old woman accused of abandoning her newborn twin babies.
He said, “On May 22, 2026, at about 3:00 p.m., one Chief Emmanuel Tyolumun Api reported that two-day-old infants were found abandoned at Branch Atser in Vandeikya Local Government Area. The babies were immediately rescued and taken to the hospital for urgent medical attention.
“They were admitted into the Intensive Care Unit and placed under the care of the Social Welfare Unit in Vandeikya. Following diligent investigation and intelligence gathering, police operatives arrested the suspect alleged to have delivered and abandoned the infants.”
The commissioner said the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
He further disclosed the arrest of a woman accused of trafficking two young ladies to Ghana for prostitution.
According to him, one Grace Hari, 22, of Kpankeke in Naka, reported on May 22 that she and her sister were lured by a 40-year-old woman, identified as Ashide Nyityon, under the pretext of securing jobs for them in Lagos.
Instead, the victims were allegedly transported to Ghana, where they were sold into prostitution and subjected to sexual assault before escaping and returning to Benue.
“Upon receiving the complaint, officers of the command mobilised and arrested the suspect, who is currently assisting the police in tracking down other suspects still at large,” he said.
The police boss also recounted the rescue of eight kidnapped victims in Ogbadibo Local Government Area.
He said the command received a distress call on May 25 that eight persons had been abducted by armed men around Adupi community in Orokam.
In response, a combined team of police tactical operatives, mobile policemen and local vigilantes was deployed to the area.
“While combing the surrounding bushes, operatives encountered the kidnappers and engaged them in a gun duel. The suspects fled, abandoning the victims, who were rescued unharmed and without payment of ransom,” Nwadiogbu stated.
He added that a locally fabricated single-barrel gun and a military uniform suspected to belong to the fleeing criminals were recovered during the operation.
The commissioner also highlighted the arrest of armed robbery and kidnapping suspects, rape suspects and cultists, as well as the recovery of firearms and ammunition and the foiling of a bandit operation in Gbeji, Ukum Local Government Area.
Items recovered during various operations included a military camouflage uniform, a motorcycle, six charms and a short axe.
Describing security as a collective responsibility, Nwadiogbu urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information that could help prevent crime and safeguard lives and property.
He assured the people of Benue that the command would continue to act decisively, professionally and within the confines of the law to ensure the safety of communities across the state.
