Police arrests, parades 35 suspects in Benue

The Benue State Police Command yesterday paraded 35 suspected criminals for various crimes in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Hassan Steve Yabanet, who paraded the suspects before journalists at the police headquarters in Makurdi said the suspects who include Internet fraudsters, kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers, rapists and others were nabbed at various locations.

He disclosed that on 14/5/2024 at about 0600hrs, police stormed the  house and arrested one Terpase Luke Denmodi ‘m’ 23yrs and Avalumun Ayangekaa Dominic ‘m’ 24yrs,  recovered seven (7) HP laptops, one (1) Apple note, one (1) Cannon printer, fifteen (15) notes of Ghana cedis, two international passports, assorted cloths among other items from them.

CP Yabanet said the suspects confessed to the crime, admitting that, “most of their victims are foreigners and they have students usually training in the fraud business at the house and they share proceed of fraud with as they go out to practice.”

He stated that “on 14/05/2024 at about 1900hrs, information was gathered about fraudsters lodging in a hotel along Kashim Ibrahim road, Makurdi, the team of Policemen from Cybercrime Section swung into action and raided the hotel where eight suspects were arrested in a room.

The Commissioner of Police who gave the names of those arrested as; one Usman Aliu ‘m’ 30yrs, Orga Israel ‘m’ 24yrs, David Tersoo ‘m’ 24yrs, Aondofa Michael ‘m’ 23yrs, Tega Wisdom ‘m’ 25yrs, Alexander Torgbenda ‘m’ 21yrs, Emmanuel Idyede ‘m’ 23yrs and Elvis Francis ‘m’ 26yrs, said investigation revealed that the suspects were internet fraudsters who have many social medial handles on their phone that they use to defraud people of their monies.

He further stated that on 06/05/2024 at about 1400hrs, while some motorcyclists were plying Makurdi- Naka road, a group of armed men blocked the highway and robbed them of their motorcycle and also kidnapped one other victim and collected two million naira from the family before the victim was released.

Furthermore, CP Yabanet disclosed that on 16/05/2024 at about 1100hrs, information was received about a group of people who were locked in a house at Terwase Agbedu extension, Makurdi and were suspected to be involved in crime.

“Upon receipt of the information, a patrol team was detailed for investigation. The following suspects were arrested at the scene; Emmanuel Bundepum ‘m’ 33yrs, Ado Joshua ‘m’ 22yrs, Shaorga Ushahem ‘m’ 24yrs, James Ushambe ‘m’ 21yrs, Ebugwe Stephen ‘m’ 25yrs, Teryile Kave ‘m’ 20yrs and Tivlumun Martins ‘m’ 22yrs. Exhibits recovered from them include; 10 laptops, four phones, parcels of substances suspected to be illicit drugs and a camouflage uniform.

“Suspects confessed to be involved in Internet fraud and drug abuse. They are also connected to a network of fraudsters who come to train them on Internet fraud in from other states. Investigation is ongoing. Parents are advised to warn their children to choose godly friends and not fraudsters.

“On 16/05/2024 at about 1000hrs, a group of armed cultists clashed at North-bank market and were shooting recklessly. A patrol team within the market swiftly responded to the distress call and arrested one Inja Akulega and Lucky Aminu, while other suspects escaped. The said cultist also stole items in the market at gun point after they scared traders away. During investigation, two motorcycles were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is ongoing.”