From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
The Benue state Police Command said a 60-year-old man who defiled a 10-year-old girl in Igumale, Ado local government area of the state has been arrested.
Similarly, the police said it has arrested a suspect named Hemen Wuese for alleged physical abuse that led to the death of the girl under her custody.
The State Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu who disclosed this during his monthly media briefing on Tuesday in Makurdi, said the alleged defilement case was reported on the 13th October 2026, stating that the defiled victim was taken for medical examination and necessary treatment, adding that investigation is ongoing, and the Command will ensure that the matter is handled in accordance with the law, with the privacy and welfare of the victim protected.
CP Nwadiogbu said on 5th October 2026, a report was received at Jato-Aka Division concerning an incident in Injorov Village, Turan, Kwande Local Government Area, involving two children who were reportedly subjected to severe physical abuse over an allegation relating to ₦14,500.
He frowned at the act of suspect who after keeping the children under the sun for a long time, went ahead to grind pepper and inserted in the private part of the two children leaving one of the children dead, while the other managed to survive.
He said police operatives have already commenced investigation to ascertain the full circumstances of the incident as the body of the deceased has since been deposited for autopsy, while the surviving child was rescued and reported to be in stable condition.
The Police Commissioner said 34 Foreign nationals suspected of clandestine activities were arrested during the period under review.
He said: “On 9th October 2026, operatives of the Command arrested 16 Cameroonian nationals in Otukpo Local Government Area. Preliminary information indicated that the individuals could not produce the required travel documents at the time of their arrest. They are suspected of engaging in clandestine activities and heinous crime, and were taken into custody for investigation and verification of their immigration status, with appropriate authorities to be engaged as necessary.
“Similarly, on 22nd October 2026, operatives intercepted 18 Nigerien nationals at Orokam in Ogbadibo local government area while they were reportedly transiting to Ikom in Cross River State. They were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation after concerns were raised about their circumstances of entry into the country and their inability to provide satisfactory explanations regarding their journey. The Command is taking steps to establish the relevant facts and involve the appropriate authorities, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, for profiling and any further action required under the law.
“The Command emphasizes that investigations into these cases are ongoing and that any further action will be guided by the findings and applicable legal procedures.
Rescue of 29 Kidnapped Victims
The Command also recorded notable successes in its efforts to rescue kidnapped victims and protect residents from attacks by criminal elements across the State.
The CP said on 5th October 2026, a commercial vehicle was attacked along the Uzer Village axis of Ayilamo–Tse-Abi Road in Logo Local Government Area during which the driver was killed while four passengers were abducted.
He added that following the report, police personnel, working in collaboration with Operation Whirl Stroke, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local hunters, mobilised for a search-and-rescue operation that led to the successful rescue of the four abducted passengers.
In a related operation on 7th October 2026, Nwadiogbu said 17 farmers were rescued from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in Bamun Village, Tombo District, Logo Local Government Area in an operation that involved personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local vigilantes, maintaining that the intervention underscored the Command’s commitment to protecting rural communities and ensuring that residents can pursue their lawful activities without fear of attacks.
In same vein, he disclosed that the Command recorded a breakthrough in Ohimini Local Government Area on 13th October 2026 following the rescue of eight kidnapped victims and the arrest of two suspects.
The incident according yo him, occurred along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road, before Ipiga Village, where a Reverend Father and other persons returning from the market were reportedly abducted but through sustained search-and-rescue operations involving police personnel, the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, two victims were rescued on 16th October, while six others were rescued on 18th October 2026.
“The rescued victims were taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical examination and necessary attention. The two arrested suspects remain under investigation.
“These operations demonstrate the importance of timely response, intelligence sharing and collaboration among security agencies and community-based security structures in addressing kidnapping and other security threats”, the CP said.
Arrest of cultists, recovery of firearms and efforts against cult-related activities
The Command said in a sustained efforts to curb cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, threats and other criminal activities capable of undermining public peace carried out separate operations involving Naka, Makurdi and Aliade, during which it arrested suspects and recovered locally fabricated firearms and other items.
The Police Commissioner said on 25th September 2026, two suspects were arrested along Aondona–Naka Road in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area, with a locally fabricated revolver pistol, two expended rounds, a mobile phone and suspected criminal charms recovered in connection with the operation while on 26th September, two suspects were arrested by operatives of ‘D’ Division, Makurdi, following information that individuals were allegedly brandishing a firearm during a youth meeting with one pistol recovered.
He said, “On 30th September, operatives of Aliade Division also arrested a suspect and recovered two locally fabricated pistols, ammunition and suspected criminal charms.
“In another operation on 22nd October 2026, operatives of Katsina-Ala Division arrested three suspects following a complaint involving alleged threats and the destruction of a fence arising from a land dispute. Items recovered included two locally fabricated pistols, four live cartridges, one live 9mm ammunition, an axe, suspected criminal charms, suspected illicit substances, mobile phones, ATM cards and items bearing cult-related inscriptions, including a banner bearing the inscription “De Norsemen Kclub International.” The suspects are being investigated to establish their respective roles and determine whether they have links to other criminal activities.
“On 14th October 2026, a resident was reportedly attacked by suspected cultists along Maiduguri Street, Wadata, Makurdi. Police investigations led to the arrest of three suspects in connection with the attack. The victim was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Apir, where he later died. The suspects remain under investigation as the Command works to establish their individual roles and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Neutralization of bandit and recovery of firearm
He said the Command also responded to a reported attack on personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force along Amaafu–Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on 2nd October 2026 during an encounter that followed, one suspected bandit was neutralized, a locally fabricated firearm was recovered, and other suspected members of the group reportedly fled. No security personnel were reported killed or injured.
Other arrests and investigation into violent crimes
The Command has continued to investigate serious offences, including alleged violence against children, homicide and sexual offences, while ensuring that suspects are brought before the law where evidence establishes culpability.
Executive summary of operational achievements
1. No. of kidnapped victims rescued: 29
2. No. of suspected illegal foreign nationals apprehended: 34
3. Total No. of suspects arrested: 14
4. No. of locally fabricated firearms recovered: 7
5. No. of suspected bandits neutralized: 1
6. No. of recovered ammunition and cartridges: 16
The operational successes recorded during the period under review reflect the importance of intelligence-led policing, prompt response to reports, sustained patrols and collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders.
