By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiaogbu, has vowed to flush out suspected bandits from forests in parts of the state following a series of deadly attacks on communities.
Leading a tactical team of operatives on a clearance operation, the CP visited Ankpechi, Ogelewo and Ondo-Ugboju communities in Ohimini and Otukpo Local Government Areas, as well as Idekpa Forest, believed to be one of the major hideouts of the attackers.
The operation followed renewed attacks by suspected bandits earlier this week that left several people dead and forced many residents to flee their homes.
Speaking during the operation, Nwadiaogbu said the Command was determined to identify and dismantle all criminal camps operating within the affected forests.
“We are here at Idekpa Forest, another dangerous forest where the bandits are hibernating. Though it is not possible to locate the actual spot today, information at our disposal indicates that the bandits usually emerge from the forest, attack communities and retreat back to their hideout,” he said.
The CP admitted that security operatives were unable to locate the exact camp during the operation but assured residents that the Command would return with a more effective strategy.
“We are going back to re-strategise and identify the exact location of their camp. We must ensure they are driven out. We cannot continue to allow them to hide in these forests and terrorise innocent residents. The earlier we flush them out, the better,” he stated.
Nwadiaogbu also disclosed that additional tactical teams had been deployed to strategic communities across Ohimini and Otukpo LGAs to ensure a rapid response to distress calls.
According to him, although it is impossible to station security personnel in every village, officers have been positioned in strategic locations from where they can quickly reinforce any community under attack.
He assured residents that the Police would sustain the clearance operations until all identified criminal hideouts are dismantled and normalcy restored.
A resident of one of the affected communities told journalists that suspected armed herders invaded the area on Thursday at about 9 a.m., but were forced to retreat into the forest after a swift response by the police.
Residents commended the Benue State Police Command for its prompt intervention, saying the increased security presence has restored confidence and hope in the affected communities.
