Metro

Police Arrest 18 In Benue Over Cultism, Child Trafficking, Others

Published

1 year ago

February 11, 2025

The police command in Benue has arrested 18 suspects in connection with cultism, child trafficking, armed robbery, and vandalism.

The command made the disclosure in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Steve Yabanet, and made it available to newsmen on Tuesday in Makurdi.

Yabanet said that the command on February 9 received information about renewed cult activities in the Wadata area of Makurdi.

The CP stated that the information revealed that members of the “Black Confraternity” went for a cult meeting across the River Benue and clashed with members of the “Red Confraternity.”

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He said during the investigation, three corpses were recovered at the scene while ten suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.

Yabnet listed those arrested to include Simon Mande, Moses Tarlumun, Jamilu Idris, Joseph Seleki, Ahmed Dayabu, Muazu Usman, Akor Ada, Terfa Wergba, Almustapha Abubakar, and Usman Gambo.

The CP said the investigation was still ongoing to arrest other suspects and advised parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to warn their children/wards against such unlawful associations.

He further commended Wadata community members for their continuous collaboration with the police to fight cultism within the area, saying it has brought cult activities to a bearable minimum.

Yabnet also said that following the report of a missing child in North Bank, Makurdi, information was disseminated to members of the public for useful information about the child’s location.

The CP added that on February 9, information was received at ‘E’ Division Police Station Makurdi that one Obadiah Samaila of Kizito Junction, Agyragu, Doduguru, Nasarawa State, was seen around George Akume Way, Makurdi, with a boy.

He said Samaila could not give a satisfactory account of the boy’s origin; he was arrested, and he later confessed to having stolen the child from his house in North Bank for trafficking.

The CP further disclosed that on February 6, police officers from Naka Division, while on patrol along the Makurdi-Naka Road, intercepted and arrested Idris Garba, Mohammed Usman, Ibrahim Mohammed, and Rafa Muazu, all of Lafia, Nasarawa State.

He said they also arrested one Sunday Demekaa of Gwer-East Local Government Area with a Nissan truck loaded with iron pipelines suspected to be stolen.

He said the suspects failed to provide a satisfactory account of how they got the items.

“Investigation revealed that these petroleum pipelines have been vandalised around Gwer Local Government Area and taken to an unknown destination.

“Investigation is ongoing to identify other suspects that are connected with the case,” he said.

Yabnet further stated that on February 7, credible information was received about a robbery gang operating around Yogbo Village in the Guma Local Government Area.

The CP said that investigators at Daudu Division conducted a raid in the area and arrested one Yakubu Kaatoma and Abu Ishaku, both of Tsekereke, Yogbo Village.

He said the suspects have been identified by one of their victims, and the investigation was still ongoing.

Yabnet assured the people that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, was working tirelessly to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.

He warned miscreants who have chosen to create unnecessary tension and cause unrest should desist or have the police to contend with.
(NAN)

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

17 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.