MAKURDI— Benue State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in the last three days in its renewed onslaught against crime with the arrest of 36 robbery suspects and vandals.

Parading the suspects Tuesday, at the state police command headquarters, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Christopher Katso said, “among the arrested robbery suspects is a teenager (names withheld) who alongside two others now on the run raided a popular supermarket in town in broad day light”.

While the robbery was going on, the police patrol team covering the area stormed the scene after they got a distress call from those in the neighbourhood.

Mr Katso said: “My men apprehended one of the robbery suspects with a fully loaded English pistol while two of his cohorts escaped but we are on their trail.

“Also arrested were a five-man robbery gang which trailed and killed an orange farmer in Ushongo Local Government Area of the state after they had dispossessed their victim of N100, 000.

“Within this same period, we apprehended various gangs across Makurdi town who while robbing their victims were nabbed by my men who daily patrol the streets.

“My command recently got a tip off which led to the arrest of some communication cable vandals and equipment.

“I must also point out that our recent operation outside Makurdi town also led to the arrest of a gang at Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state which specialized in ambushing local traders and dispossessing them of their valuables.”

The Police Commissioner further said that items recovered from the various gangs include “military camouflage uniform, different types of firearms, ammunition and machetes”. Katso said the suspects would soon face trial after investigations have been completed.