The Benue State Police Command says it rescued 29 kidnap victims and arrested 34 international nationals throughout safety operations throughout the state in October.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Tuesday whereas briefing journalists on the command’s operational achievements at its headquarters in Makurdi.
He attributed the rescues to intelligence-led operations and collaboration with different safety companies and community-based safety teams.
Mr Nwadiogbu stated 4 passengers kidnapped after gunmen attacked a industrial automobile alongside the Uzer village axis of Ayilamo-Tse-Abi Road in Logo Local Government Area on 5 October have been rescued in a joint operation involving the police, Operation Whirl Stroke, Benue State Civil Protection Guards and native hunters.
He stated 17 farmers kidnapped from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in Bamun village, Tombo District, Logo LGA, have been rescued on 7 October.
The commissioner additionally stated eight kidnap victims, together with a Catholic priest, have been rescued in Ohimini LGA following their abduction alongside the Ugbokolo-Ajegbe-Awume Road on 13 October.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that police introduced the rescue of eight victims and the arrest of two suspects after the kidnapping alongside the street.
The police assertion on the time didn’t verify whether or not the rescued victims included Reverend Father John Inalegwu Otache, who was reported kidnapped on the identical day.
Foreign nationals arrested
Mr Nwadiogbu stated the command arrested 34 international nationals in two separate operations in the course of the month.
He stated 16 (*29*) nationals have been arrested in Otukpo LGA on 9 October after they allegedly failed to supply the required journey paperwork.
On 22 October, operatives intercepted 18 Nigerien nationals at Orokam whereas they have been reportedly travelling to Ikom in Cross River State.
The commissioner stated the international nationals have been taken into custody for investigation and verification of their immigration standing, with the related authorities, together with the Nigeria Immigration Service, to be concerned.
He stated investigations have been ongoing to determine the circumstances of their entry into Nigeria and actions inside the nation.
Other arrests and recoveries
The police commissioner additionally reported arrests in separate operations in opposition to suspected cultists and different suspected offenders in Naka, Makurdi, Aliade and Gwer East.
He stated the command recovered seven domestically fabricated firearms, 16 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, charms, cellphones and ATM playing cards in the course of the operations.
READ ALSO: Police rescue 29 kidnap victims, arrest 34 foreigners in Benue – Official
Mr Nwadiogbu additional disclosed {that a} suspected bandit was killed throughout an encounter involving Operation Zenda personnel alongside Amaafu-Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala LGA on 2 October. A domestically fabricated firearm was recovered in the course of the operation.
In a separate case, the commissioner stated police arrested a 60-year-old man over the alleged rape of a 10-year-old lady in Igumale, Ado LGA.
He stated the incident was reported on 13 October and the sufferer was taken for medical examination and remedy. He added that investigations have been ongoing and that the sufferer’s privateness and welfare could be protected.
Mr Nwadiogbu urged residents to supply credible data to safety companies, saying public cooperation was important to stopping crime and defending lives and property.
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