Police arrest 5 over kidnapping, banditry
From Hope Abah Emmanuel, Makurdi
The Police in Benue State yesterday said they have arrested five suspects from different locations of the state in connection with criminality bordering on kidnapping and banditry. State Commissioner of Police, CP. Wale Abass, said the arrests were made in the continued fight against criminality in the state.
Abass in a press release signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Catherine Anene, noted that the five suspects nabbed over kidnapping, banditry and armed robbery terrorised their areas of operations.
“On 02/02/2022 at about 10:15pm while a team of police officers were on stop and search in front of Benue State University, Makurdi, they heard someone scream in a vehicle and quickly rushed to find out. The occupants of the vehicle took to their heels leaving Mr. Raphael and a suspect, one Patrick Terkaa Ayatse of Logo one, who were seen struggling in the car.
“During interrogation, it was gathered that Mr. Raphael had gone to withdraw money from an ATM when the group of kidnappers forcefully took him away in his own vehicle, robbed him of his phones and money and were driving him to an unknown destination where they threatened to keep him hostage until his family pays ransom.
“The victim raised an alarm and called for help when he noticed a police check point. Further investigation led to the arrest of one Sunny Dollar who was the driver of the vehicle and one locally made pistol recovered. Investigation is ongoing,” she stated.
The PPRO added that men of Operation Zenda in another operation intercepted and arrested one Anyogo Mnguor who was suspected to have committed heinous crimes like kidnapping and armed robbery within Sankara area.
Items recovered include one G3 rifle with forty-two (42) rounds of live ammunition, one pump action rifle, one locally made pistol and four AK47 Magazines.
“One Alhaji Igbadoo and Tsaaga Akulahan have also been arrested in connection with the case. The command will continue to partner with the good people of the state to fight crime,” the statement said.