Fr Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State Police Command said its personnel at the weekend repelled an assault on Edikwu Icho community in Apa Local Government Area by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The State Police Commissioner, Ifeanyi Emenari in a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed that the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, working on credible intelligence that armed Fulani herdsmen were attacking the community, dispatched its personnel who successfully bring the situation under control with the area now being calm.
He also revealed that the bridge linking Ugbokpo, Idogbu,Ochumeku, and Ikobi communities earlier burnt by the terrorists was currently under rehabilitation under heavy security presence to ensure the safety of personnel and members of the public.
Similarly, he said its operatives also arrested a suspect and recovered 117 rounds of live ammunition in Ukum Local Government Area.
According to the CP, the suspect, identified as Saamoga, also known as Aleki, was conveying the ammunition from Gbagir to Zaki-Biam on a commercial motorcycle when he was intercepted by the police.
He disclosed that the suspect was shot in the leg during the operation and later died while receiving medical treatment.
The CP said the ammunition was concealed in socks within the suspect’s handbag, and he confessed that it was being taken to Taraba State.
Emenari said the command acknowledged the continuous support and collaboration received from other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army and relevant government officials whose synergy with the police had remained instrumental in the successful execution of operations and the maintenance of peace and public safety across the state.
He commended the officers and men of the command for their prompt response and professionalism across the affected areas, reassuring the public of the command’s commitment to sustaining proactive and intelligence-led policing.
The CP also urged members of the public to remain calm and continue to cooperate with the police by providing timely and credible information that can aid crime prevention in the state.
