By Amos Aar
THE BENUE State Police Command has announced that it has arrested six suspected abductors and fraudsters operating in Benue State.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Sewuese Anene, confirmed the arrest to journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi, the state capital.
She said the police had received a tipoff on June 13, 2024 “at about 1700hrs” that a Benue Links vehicle was conveying passengers from Onitsha to Makurdi and gunmen who laid siege in a nearby forest around Ojano-Oglewu ambushed them, shooting sporadically at the vehicle and causing the vehicle to stop at the forest. According to her, the driver of the ill-fated vehicle sustained gunshot injuries that led to his death while the passengers were abducted.
On how the suspects were arrested, Anene said nine victims were first rescued during an investigation while the search for their abductors continued.
She further disclosed that the information availed the police by the rescued abductees led to the arrest of some of the hoodlums in Nasarawa State while investigation was still ongoing to apprehend others who were still at large.
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“On 17/6/2024 three (3) suspects, named Saleh Hassan ‘m’, Yakubu Alhaji Kande and Yunusa Idris all of Keana LGA, Nasarawa state were trailed and arrested in connection with the case. Investigation is on going”, the PPRO said.
On the arrest of three suspected internet fraudsters, SP Anene explained that the arrest followed a raid of a hideout by the police along Makurdi-Naka Road and the suspects allegedly confessed to be internet fraudsters.
“On 17/06/2024 information was received about a criminal hideout at Kigh village along Naka road and a team of police officers was detailed to raid the place.
“During the operation, one Philip Matthew ‘m’ 25 yrs, Haribu Jafai ‘m’ 27yrs and John Ode Arubi ‘m’ 24yrs, were arrested. Items recovered include 2 iphones, 5 laptops, different ATM cards suspected to be used for fraud and five (5) 9mm live ammunition.
“Suspects confessed to be internet fraudsters as seen on their phones and laptops. Investigation is ongoing”, the PPRO informed.
