By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, has expressed concern over the manufacture and proliferation of small arms and ammunition in the state, urging youths with technical skills to channel their ingenuity into productive and lawful ventures.
Nwadiogbu spoke on Tuesday during a press briefing in Makurdi, where he highlighted some of the achievements recorded by the Benue State Police Command in the past month.
While acknowledging the technical ingenuity involved in locally manufacturing weapons, the Commissioner warned that the police would not tolerate the illegal production, possession or proliferation of firearms.
He also expressed concern over the lingering land dispute between communities in Tarka and Agasha, saying criminal elements were exploiting the disagreement to fuel violence despite efforts by security agencies and community leaders to restore peace.
“I led a team to the area a month ago and made efforts to ensure that there is peace. I met with traditional rulers and other stakeholders. Unfortunately, the crisis has not ceased,” Nwadiogbu said.
“We have arrested seven persons and will not spare anyone spreading violence in the area.”
The CP also highlighted successes recorded by the command in combating kidnapping, armed banditry, robbery and other crimes across the state.
According to him, following the abduction of travellers along the Otukpo-Adoka Road on August 14, 2026, tactical teams were deployed for intensive search-and-rescue operations in the area and surrounding forests.
He said the operatives came under attack from suspected armed bandits in Amla-Icho Forest on August 16. The police responded, neutralising one armed suspect and recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.
Nwadiogbu said sustained operations and credible intelligence later led tactical teams to another encounter with the suspects during a night operation in the forest. The gunmen fled, abandoning 13 kidnapped victims, who were rescued and taken for medical attention and necessary care.
The Commissioner said the command also recorded successes against armed bandits in Logo Local Government Area.
He said tactical teams responded to attacks at Tse-Udi community and the Ayilamo axis on August 11, neutralising two armed suspects and recovering two AK-47 rifles and ammunition.
According to him, police operatives also responded on August 26 to reports of armed bandits chasing farmers and destroying crops in the Ayilamo area. An armed suspect was neutralised, while an AK-47 rifle and ammunition were recovered.
Nwadiogbu added that police operatives foiled an armed robbery attempt at Ayati Village in Gwer East Local Government Area on August 9, forcing the suspects to flee and abandon a locally fabricated revolver and live cartridges.
He further disclosed that the command recovered a newborn baby stolen shortly after delivery in Gboko on August 12.
Following intelligence-led investigations, 11 suspects were arrested and the one-day-old baby was recovered. He said the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
Giving a summary of the command’s operations during the period, Nwadiogbu said police rescued 18 kidnapped victims, arrested 20 suspects and neutralised three armed suspects.
He said three AK-47 rifles, one locally fabricated Type 06 rifle, several locally made pistols and revolvers, 33 rounds of ammunition, two motorcycles and a Toyota Corolla were recovered. Suspected criminal charms were also recovered during the operations.
“These achievements represent some of the successes recorded by the Command in its sustained efforts to protect the people of Benue State and ensure that criminals are identified, arrested and brought to justice,” Nwadiogbu said.
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