CRIME
Police Make Headway against Criminals in Benue
By David Torough, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has intensified its fight against criminals in the state, leading to the relative peace currently prevailing in the state.
According to a press release issued by the state Command’s Public Relations Officer, Anene Sewuese Catherine (a Superintendent of Police), “During the period under review, 10 cases have been charged to court with more than fourteen (14) suspects arraigned, six (6) guns and twenty six (26) live ammunition recovered”.
The statement read.According to the PPRO, “On 15/02/2022 at about 1430hrs, Information was received that a group of robbers numbering about six armed themselves with guns and were robbing people behind Total Filling Station, New Garage Makurdi.
Police detectives moved immediately to the scene and arrested one Moses Jonah and Moses Anyawo Dantalla all of the same address . Items recovered from them include; two locally made pistols, one live cartridge and one mobile phone suspected to be stolen. Further investigation is on going to apprehend the remaining suspects at large”. She added.“On 16/2/2022 at about 0545hrs while a team of Police Officers were on stop and search along Vandeikya-Adikpo road, they intercepted one Terna Lornenge on a motorcycle with green leaves, pretending to have gone for a funeral. On the spot search of the suspect led to the recovery of one locally fabricated Barreta pistol loaded with two rounds of live ammunition”.
The police also arrest illegal tax collectors. “Following reports about illegal tax collectors from road users and Benue Internal Revenue Service, the command deployed police detectives to investigate these allegations . While these officers were on patrol on 10/2/2022 at about 1600hr, information was received that some illegal tax collectors were sighted printing fake receipts in a laundry shop at Logo 1, Makurdi. The team moved swiftly to the scene and arrested one Terseer Tsav, Sunday Ikpa and Shami Nichola. Items recovered from them include: one laptop, one POS machine, a printer and papers. The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Cp. Wale Abass who condemned this act of sabotage has reiterated his commitment to create an enabling environment for economic activities to thrive and warned that perpetuators of this act will be dealt with in accordance with the law”.
Suspected robbers were also arrested by the police. “Following reports of attacks on POS operators in Makurdi, Yaikyo in particular, police detectives trailed and arrested the following suspects on 15/2/2022 at about 2130hrs; Kator Orfa, Terese Iordye, Ayoosu Terseer and Terkula Igba. One shuttle bag and POS machine were recovered from them”. The PPRO disclosed.
CRIME
Delta Police Arrest School Bus Driver over Minor’s Kidnapping, Assault
A 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Ughagha, has been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student in Sapele.
The suspect allegedly demanded and collected ₦503,000 in ransom from the student’s father before abandoning her along Oton Road, Sapele.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement in Warri on Sunday.
According to Edafe, the incident was reported at the Sapele Area Command on October 20, 2026, by the victim’s father, who alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school.
“The suspect subsequently contacted him (the father), demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid,” the statement added.
The police said the girl was abandoned along Oton Road after the ransom was paid and later reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications that she had been sexually assaulted.
Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced an investigation, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
The school principal and vice-principal were also invited for questioning as the police intensified efforts to apprehend the suspect, who had reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled.
Edafe said the operatives, acting on credible intelligence, traced Ughagha to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23, 2026.
The suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime during preliminary interrogation.
The police spokesman added that arrangements were being made to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.
The commissioner assured that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice”.
He also urged school authorities, parents and transport operators to “exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children”, stressing that the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.
CRIME
Enugu CP Orders investigation into Man’s Death During Police Operation
From Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nnaji Izuchukwu (male) during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Oficer, Enugu State command, Daniel Ndukwe said that the CP has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to establish the facts of the incident and determine whether the operation and use of firearms complied with established operational standards and extant laws.
Preliminary findings indicate that operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided Bull Hotel, Asata, Enugu, where Nworie Chidera Kelvin, a.k.a. “Akidi,” an alleged notorious drug peddler and Vikings Confraternity member, was lodged with associates. Akidi is reportedly linked to multiple cases involving unlawful firearm possession and cultism, including one in which he was charged in absentia.
He was also suspected of keeping the gang’s firearms and other criminal tools. The operation led to the arrest of Akidi and nine other suspects, comprising males and females aged 17–28. Quantities of dried weeds suspected to be “loud” cannabis, a weighing scale suspected to be used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in various denominations were recovered.
During the operation, Nnaji and another suspect jumped through a window in an attempt to escape. While pursuing them, an operative was confronted by both suspects, who allegedly attempted to disarm him. In the ensuing struggle, the firearm discharged, leaving Nnaji with gunshot injuries, while the other suspect escaped. Nnaji was rushed to hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. His remains have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
CP Giwa has urged the deceased’s family, associates and other concerned persons to remain calm, assuring them that the circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly investigated and that any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary action. He reiterated that professionalism, ethical conduct and strict adherence to operational standards, particularly those governing the use of firearms, must never be compromised in any police operation.
CRIME
Police Officer Shoots Female Colleague to Death, Kills Self in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Police Command has confirmed a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two police officers in Ajaokuta Local Government Area after a male officer allegedly shot his female colleague, before turning gun to shoot himself.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Aliu Afusat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP), on Sunday, said the Command was investigating the fatal shooting at ASCO Camp, Ajaokuta, on October 23, in which two serving police officers died.
According to the statement, “the incident was reported at 11:04 p.
m., and the Divisional Police Officer, Ajaokuta, led a team of police officcers to the scene.“Preliminary findings indicate that Corporal Amos Yusuf, who was on night duty, shot Woman Corporal Grace Onimisi and thereafter shot himself. Both officers were taken to separate medical facilities, where they were confirmed dead by medical personnel. Their remains have been deposited at the mortuary of ASCO Hospital.
“An AK-47 rifle and four expended cartridges were recovered at the scene as exhibits.
“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for in-depth investigation. The circumstances and motive remain subjects of investigation, and the Command will not speculate on matters yet to be established.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, extends his condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased officers over this tragic incident. The Command will provide verified updates as appropriate” the statement said.


