By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has uncovered a a gun factory in Kwande Local Government Area of the state and arrested suspects, who indulge in manufacturing of guns.
The state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Wednesday in his office in Makurdi.
CP Adesina revealed that on February 7, 2024, one Precious Ebuka Chukwu of Onitsha Anambra State was arrested at Agu in Vandeikya. An on the spot search conducted on the suspect, led to the recovery of three (3) locally made Beretta pistols. The team of Police detectives were led to the hideout of his regular suppliers where one Tyav Wuese and Tyav Terkuma, blacksmiths of Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area who specialize in fabricating guns, were also arrested and would soon be charged to court.
The CP disclosed also that on February 21, 2024, one George Aondosoo Ayua of Asase 1, North Bank, Makurdi was kidnapped and his kidnappers were asking for six million naira (N6,000,000) to be paid as ransom. The Police Special unit, Operation Zenda Joint Task Force were deployed and successfully rescued the victim and arrested the suspects. On interrogation, it was discovered the suspects operates from a hideout at Abua village, km.16 Gboko Road Makurdi.
He explained that the victim was rescued unhurt while two members of the gang, one Ayua Moses and Azua Samson of different addresses in Makurdi were arrested in connection with the crime and investigation was ongoing to arrest other suspects at large.
CP Adesina revealed also that another dreaded armed bandits led by one Chen and Iorpuu Ayangeer blocked Tse-Kperse, Naindo-Zaki-Biam road and abducted one Aornen Kpor ’a member of Benue State Volunteer Guard, who was traveling along the route.
During investigation, the CP continued, that one Vanen Mnyim and Adera Terseer both of Ngenev, Ukum Local Government Area were arrested in connection with the case and the suspects confessed to the crime and led the Police team to a bush at Adogo village where the victim was killed and buried in a shallow grave. The corpse has been exhumed and deposited at the hospital for autopsy and proper burial even as investigation was ongoing.
The CP also noted that the command arrested another gang on Makurdi – Naka and the gang members were Oryina Kumshi, Terzungwe and Philip Tyohie who were arrested at Adaka and have confessed to have been involved in four robbery operations on Naka road and neighboring communities that led to loss of lives and properties.
According to him, “Particularly, they confessed to have been part of the robbery and killing of a female youth corps member, one Irene Chioma Emmanuel whom they killed while she was trying to protect her laptop from them. A knife and rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them.”
Adesina noted that while police officers in collaboration with Community Volunteer Guards were on patrol at Adoka, Otukpo local government, they intercepted one Echoche and Inalegwu Anebi in a dark corner where they were suspected to have laid ambush for commuters. One single barrel gun, ATM cards and one locally made revolver short gun loaded with five rounds of ammunition were recovered from them as investigation according to him was ongoing.
The Police boss expressed the belief that the last three weeks which the command had been able to carry out some reforms in the area of deployment and re-orientation of officers on the need to be professional in carrying out their duties has made the command rec such achievements.
He however assured that the command under his watch would continue to fight crimes and make the state a better place for peaceful coexistence.
”I, therefore call on the good people of the state to support the police with useful and timely information that is capable of preventing crime”, he said.
