The police command in Benue said it neutralised six bandits during their operation in a bandit camp at Mbavuur Ward in Logo Local Government Area of the State.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued in Makurdi by the State police public relations officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Monday.

According to the statement, the command received an intelligence report about a bandit camp at Mbavuur Ward and a team of Operation Zenda JTF stormed the camp on July 27, and engaged the militia group in a gun duel.

“During the operation, six bandits were neutralised, while others escaped.

“Corpses were recovered and deposited at NKST Ugba morgue, while fleeing suspects are still being trailed,” she said.

She listed the items recovered from the scene to include one AK-47 rifle and two locally fabricated shotguns loaded with ammunition.

She stated that the command also arrested one Tersoo Dabo of Udei, Guma LGA on July 18, in connection with robberies along Makurdi-Lafia Road.

She explained that the suspect had also confessed to be part of a seven-member gang operating along the Makurdi-Lafia highway.

She further stated that investigation led to the arrest of one Martin Akunu of Udei Town, said to be the spiritual leader of the gang.

He was alleged to be responsible for fortifying them before they embark on any operations.

She also stated that the command recovered one locally made double barrel, 162 balls, suspected to be local ammunition and gunpowder from them.

The PPRO added that a police patrol team at Daudu arrested a kidnap suspect, one Usman Hardo of Keana, on July 28.

She stated that the suspect had been on the wanted list for kidnapping and cattle rustling in Nasarawa State and Guma LGA of Benue.

“Let me use this opportunity to commend the good people of Benue for their continuous support to the police and resilience in fighting crime.

“I assure you that the command is committed to rid the state of criminality.

“The presence of police officers across Makurdi today is not to scare citizens but to assure them of police presence and warn any hoodlum who intend to cause a breach of the peace in the name of protest,” she added. 

(NAN)