In what seemed a renewed crackdown on perpetrators of violent crimes in parts of the state, no fewer than 45 suspected cultists and armed men have been arrested by men of the Benue State Police Command.
Also recovered from the gangs in the last few weeks were assorted fire arms, live ammunitions, military camouflage and charms.
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, Mr. Ejike Alaribe who disclosed this while briefing newsmen yesterday in Makurdi, said the suspects were apprehended in parts of Makurdi town and some parts of the state.
Alaribe said the arrest of the suspects was in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Katso, to all commands to beef up security and comb the nooks and crannies of the state to fish out those perpetrating criminality across the state.
He said the crack down would persist in the days ahead assuring that the Police in Benue state would not relent until “those engaged in criminality in the state are all apprehended”.
”The Commissioner of Police has given express directive to all officers at the various commands; and he has warned that the renewed onslaught must be total and not compromised”, Alaribe added.
The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer further disclosed that the Commissioner also directed intensified vehicular patrols of the entire state by officers of the command adding that men have also been detailed to embark on foot and motorbike patrols.
He urged parents to keep a close tab on the type of friends their children and wards keep stressing, “we discovered that so many innocent children and youths are lured into cultism and other forms of crimes by their bad and evil minded friends”.
According to Alaribe, all the arrested suspects would soon face prosecution in a competent court.
