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Benue: Police arrest 96 for armed robbery, cultism, other crimes

The suspects were arrested between August 24 and September 15, an official said.

• September 22, 2020
Police
Policemen sitting on armoured tank (Photo Credit: Twitter)

The police in Benue have arrested 96 persons over alleged house breaking, theft, armed robbery and cultism in Makurdi, the state capital.

Police spokesperson Catherine Anene said on Monday in Makurdi that the suspects were arrested following complaints from residents of Welfare Quarters, Yarkiyo, Wadata, Ankpa Quarters, NUJ and North-Bank.

She said that the suspects were arrested between August 24 and September 15.

The police said items recovered from the suspects include two locally-made pistols, one Dane gun, two live cartridges, one canister of 38mm, tear gas cartridge, one military camouflage cap, three black berets, four red berets and military jungle hat.

Other items were two pairs of military uniforms, one Apple iPad, two desert boots, one animal horn, cutlasses, knives and assorted charms, and wraps of herbs suspected to be Indian hemp.

The police did not immediately clarify when the suspects would be charged, but said additional investigation would be conducted.

The arrests come as Benue and other states in central Nigeria are pushing back against violent invaders who have been targeting villagers and urban residents. 

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