By Amos Aar, Makurdi
Benue State Police Command on Wednesday paraded suspected criminals who were arrested for various offences. The state’s Police Commissioner, Mr Mukadas Garba, disclosed during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Makurdi that 17 armed robbers/cultists, two child traffickers, one cybercriminal and four suspects in possession of prohibited firearms were recently arrested.
He stated: “On 12/08/2020 at about 1400hrs, a teenage pregnant girl of Orji-River, Enugu State came to ‘C’ Police Division Makurdi and reported that while she was frustrated with her unwanted pregnancy, an unknown young man deceived her and took her to the house of one Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Uttah who offered to take care of her until delivery and pay her the sum of two hundred thousand naira only (N200, 000.00) for her child. During investigation, the suspects were arrested and further investigation revealed that Ada Benjamin and her husband have been suspected to have been involved in several other cases of child trafficking but took to their heels to prevent arrest and prosecution.”
Those arrested in connection with the case of suspected armed robbery/cultism, according to Mr Garba, were Jude Danladi Godwin, Jamile Ahmed and Matthew Marianna. The Police Commissioner said: “On 28/07/2020 at about 1600hrs information was received that one Jude Danladi Godwin, Jamile Ahmed and Matthew Maiamba all ‘m’ of Nasarawa and Plateau States conspired and tricked a motorcyclist into a hotel where they drugged him and took away his motorcycle. Suspects have been arrested and confessed to the crime. Investigation is still in progress.
“On 15/07/2020 at about 1300hrs, information was received that armed men broke into a house at GRA Makurdi and made away with an Iphone II Promax, a bag of wrist watches, an Infinix phone and transferred the sum of one million naira only (N1, 000, 000.00) into a fraudulent chipper account created for the purpose. During investigation, Aba Obida and Emmanuel Adakole both ‘m’ students of Benue State University, Makurdi; Mohammad Saad, Aliyu Mohammed and Bekius Timide of different addresses in Makurdi were arrested in connection with the case. Three hundred thousand naira only (N300, 000.00), the Iphone Il Promax, a bag of wrist watches and Oppo phone belonging to the victim were recovered from them. Suspects will soon be charged to court.
“On 08/08/2020 one Richard Gbidye and Isaac Itodo both ‘m’ of Makurdl were arrested at High-Level and one (1) itei phone suspected to be stolen was recovered from them. Further investigation led to the arrest of Terkimbir Agau, Orshi Aondona and Terseer Iorbee.
“On 29/07/2020 one Bem Akusu ‘m’ of North-Bank was arrested in connection with a robbery case and one (1) locally made revolver pistol loaded with one live ammunition and other suspicious objects was recovered from him. Investigation is still in progress.
“On 12/08/2020 one Ternenge Tyogbeya , a motorcyclist was arrested at behind Modern Market for robbing his passenger of her phone. Suspect confessed to the crime.
“On 13/08/2020 one Usman Aboje ‘m’ of Wadata was arrested in connection with a robbery case. One plasma television, one De-Tech decorder and one extension wire, all suspected to be proceeds from the robbery were recovered from the suspect.
“On 14/08/2020 at about 1540hrs one Jasiah Anayo ‘m’ of Ikpere Road, River State was arrested at USA, Makurdi for being in possession of a stolen vehicle. Further investigation revealed that, the suspect along with his cohorts are involved in robbing unsuspecting persons who withdraw cash from the bank. They also break into parked vehicles to steal items. The Suspect confessed to the crime”.
The police commissioner also disclosed that Mr Tor Jephet Aondoyila was arrested for alleged fraudulent activities.
“On 05/08/2020 at about 1700hrs, one Tor Jephet Aondoyila ‘m’ of behind Customary Court of Appea|, Makurdi was arrested for defrauding a complainant of two hundred and eighty seven thousand naira (N287, 000.00). The suspect also used his phone to send a fake bank alert to the complainant.”
Mr Garba who expressed the resolve of the Benue state Police Command to get rid of criminals in the state in order to ensure safety of the people, appreciated people of the State for their usual cooperation and support in the fight against crime.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after they were paraded, only Mrs Uttah Benjamin, the suspected child trafficker and mother of eight confessed that she was arrested for the second time on the same offence while all other suspects denied committing the crimes.
