By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on cultism and violent crimes, arresting three suspects and recovering weapons and hard drugs in separate operations across the state.

The arrests were made on Monday, following actionable intelligence received by police divisions in Vandeikya and Yelewata, Guma Local Government Areas, LGAs, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and enhance public safety.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Udeme Edet, operatives of the Vandeikya Division swung into action at about 2:30pm after reports that suspected armed robbers were sighted in the area, allegedly in possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons.

“Acting promptly on the credible information, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised a patrol team comprising operatives and detectives and moved to the scene,” Edet said.

She disclosed that two suspects, Dominic Terkaa Peter, 30, and Sunday Tarvihi, 31, both from Ako-Fate, Ute, Vandeikya LGA were arrested during the operation.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one locally fabricated revolver pistol and one jack knife found in their possession,” the police spokesperson added.

In a related development, the Yelewata Divisional Police Officer, at about 3:20pm the same day, received intelligence that suspected cult members were planning to attack rival groups and unsuspecting members of the public in the Udei area of Guma LGA.

Edet said the police immediately deployed patrol teams alongside other tactical units to forestall the planned attack. “One suspect, identified as Mnyam Ternenge, male, aged 21 years, of Udei community was arrested, while other suspects fled the scene,” she stated.

Items recovered from the suspect included a cutlass, a knife, and hard drugs. Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that the suspect confessed to being a member of the MBS cult group.

She disclosed that the suspects are currently in custody, while investigations have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Makurdi.

Police said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to eliminate cultism and other criminal activities across the state.

“The Command remains resolute in its determination to eradicate cultism and all forms of criminality in Benue State,” the CP said, while urging residents to support the police with timely and credible information.