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Stakeholders Seek Implementation of Criminal Laws in Benue

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Benue State Governor Ortom
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From Chris Gaga, Makurdi 

In continued efforts to ensure that permanent peace is achieved within the state, Stakeholders in Benue have advocated full implementation of State gazzetted laws against Cultisms, drug abuse, hostage taking, and other varying crimes to avoid breach of peace in some quarters of the state.

 

The stakeholders, comprising of representatives of Benue state government, the police, DSS, Immigration,Civil defence.

traditional rulers, civil society organizations and human right groups, farmers, herders as well as People With Disabilities, made this recommendation at a Peace Architecture Dialogue meeting called by Search for Common Ground, an international NGO working for peace in Benue.

They emphasized the need for institutions to be more stronger than individuals as well as elimination of undue influence by higher authorities on the operation of security agencies in their quest to curb crimes. 

The stakeholders also observed that a deeper collaboration between government, Security agencies and Civil Society Organizations among other institutions will reduce the incidences of herder/farmer crisis to the barest minimum.

They noted that incidences of herder/farmer crisis and other vices heightening insecurity in the state have continued to linger due to lack of honesty, transparency and cooperation among various institutions and higher authorities within the state.

The stakehokders who commended security agents for hard work, however condemned the unhealthy role played by some “authorities” especially when culprits are arrested and handed over to the police.

It was learned at the meeting that when culprits are arrested, some “big men” will use their Privilleged positions to bail the boys back into the society even before the case is established, a situation they observed was encouraging crimes in the state.

They noted that as a way out, government, security agencies, professional bodies, CSOs and all stakeholders must synergize with the aim of dealing wholesomely with the tide. 

The stakeholders who noted that every traditional ruler or community leader knows his subjects and what they were capable of doing, sugggested that government should make a pronouncement of dethronement on any traditional leader found to be shielding criminals.

They also urged authorities to recruit both farmers and herders into vigilantee groups for easy identification of strangers and criminals in their various communities just as they also called for attitudinal change and the will to accept change to enable peace return to the state.

The State Project Coordinator for Search, Mr. Joshua Chorbe said Search for Common ground has continued to  create understanding, social integration and pathway to sustainable peace among farmers and herders in Benue.

He said the aim of the meeting is to seek ways to engender peace through collaborative and cooperative approaches that will stop the crisis,  usher in enduring changes and peace in the state.

Mr Chorbe urged PAD members to use their organization to carryout advocacies in their domain participant called on the federal government, security agencies and other stake holders to give it the seriousness it deserves  to usher in peace and unity in the country.

Our Correspondent reports that ‘Search for Common Ground’ according to the stakeholders has contributed immensely to the current peace experienced in the State especially in the LGs that were the worst hit of herdsmen attacks.

CRIME

Man Bags 18 Months Imprisonment For Gambling With Employer’s N1m

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An Ota Magistrates ‘Court in Ogun, on Monday, sentenced a 24-year-old Point of Sales (POS) attendant, Yusuf Olamilekan, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing N1 million belonging to his employer.

In her judgement, the Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Fadairo, sentenced the convict to 18 months imprisonment with an option of fine of N60, 000.

Fadairo said that the convict should also restitute N1 million to the complainant, Emeka and Jane Company.

She added that the Prosecution Counsel had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was guilty of the charge preferred against him.

Olamilekan, whose address was not provided, had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp E.O. Adaraloye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 7, at 6 p.m., at Sango-Ota.

Adaraloye said that the defendant unlawfully withdrew N1 million from his employer’s account, Emeka and Jane Company, without consent, to play a game of chance.

He said that the now convict subsequently lost the money, adding that the offence contravened Section 383 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

IGE/DCO

====

Edited by Deborah Coker

An Ota Magistrates ‘Court in Ogun, on Monday, sentenced a 24-year-old Point of Sales (POS) attendant, Yusuf Olamilekan, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing N1 million belonging to his employer.

In her judgement, the Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Fadairo, sentenced the convict to 18 months imprisonment with an option of fine of N60, 000.

Fadairo said that the convict should also restitute N1 million to the complainant, Emeka and Jane Company.

She added that the Prosecution Counsel had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was guilty of the charge preferred against him.

Olamilekan, whose address was not provided, had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp E.O. Adaraloye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 7, at 6 p.m., at Sango-Ota.

Adaraloye said that the defendant unlawfully withdrew N1 million from his employer’s account, Emeka and Jane Company, without consent, to play a game of chance.

He said that the now convict subsequently lost the money, adding that the offence contravened Section 383 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. (NAN)

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CRIME

Criminalities: Police Arrests 239 Suspects

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From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

In its efforts to flush out criminal elements across the three senatorial district of Kogi, the State Police Command has arrested 239 suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, cultism, rape, and illegal possession of firearms, among other crimes.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Miller G.

Dantawaye, disclosed this during his maiden press briefing at the command headquarters in Lokoja on Tuesday.

Dantawaye attributed the feat to enhanced intelligence-led policing, rigorous patrols along major highways, raids on criminal hideouts, and the recent graduation of operatives from the command’s Refresher Combat Operation Training Exercise (Course 7), aimed at boosting operational effectiveness.

“In line with our resolve to rid Kogi State of criminal elements, we have adopted comprehensive crime prevention and control strategies that are already yielding commendable results,” the CP said.

He emphasized the importance of public partnership in maintaining security, appealing to traditional rulers, community leaders, transport unions, market associations, youth groups, hunters, and vigilantes to collaborate with the police in sustaining peace and order.

Highlighting a major breakthrough, the CP revealed that on May 11, 2025, operatives stationed near Kogi State University, Kabba, intercepted a green Sharon vehicle with registration number KUJ 265 BL after the driver refused to comply with a stop-and-search directive.

“The fleeing suspect abandoned the vehicle and escaped into the bush. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 283 rounds of 7.62/39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and two rounds of 7.62/59mm ammunition,” Dantawaye stated, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspect.

The CP also disclosed that the command arrested:75 suspected kidnappers,66 suspected armed robbers,21 for unlawful possession of firearms,18 for homicide,6 for cultism,4 for rape, and49 others for various crimes

He added that the command recovered many exhibits during, operations, including 2 AK-49 rifles,2 pump-action guns,2 locally made pistols,locally made revolver barrel gun,1pump-action magazine,9 expended AK-47 ammunition and 7 expended cartridges.

CP Dantawaye attributed these achievements to the command’s proactive strategies and robust collaboration with community stakeholders.

“Our success is anchored on intelligence-led operations and strong community-police relations. No police force anywhere can function effectively without the support of the people,” he said.

He urged citizens to continue sharing timely and credible information to aid ongoing security operations, reaffirming the police’s commitment to ensuring peace and order in Kogi State through professionalism, strategic engagement, and vigilance.

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CRIME

Gunmen Abduct  Immigration Personnel In Benue, Demand N20 Million Ransom

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Armed men suspected to be kidnappers, have abducted an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) Benue State Command, identified as Simon Agbo at his residence in Makurdi, the state capital.

A close relation of the  victim  who disclosed this to our correspondent on phone on Monday in Makurdi, said the officer was busy discussing with two of his direct neighbours on Sunday night May 11, 2025 at about 7:15pm before they came to kidnapped him.

He said the incidence happened at opposite  NKST church Kuan, behind modern market in Makurdi, after the kidnappers stormed the compound and took him away at gunpoint to unknown destination.

Our correspondent gathered that the kidnappers who were well armed first fired gunshots sporadically in the air to scare family members and neighbours of the victim before abducting him from his residence.

It was further  gathered that the victim was serving in Kwara State before he was redeployed to Benue State command on February this year.

Upon hearing his abduction, youths in the whole community in collaboration with local vigilantes immediately launched a search throughout the night but the gunmen could not be caught.

Younger brother of the victim, who simply identified himself as Mr. Agbo told our correspondent that one of the victim’s neighbours have been apprehended in connection with kidnapping of the immigration officer, hence his role before the incidence took place.

According to him, the neighbour whom he refused to mentioned his name, was consistently calling on the victim to come home or he should direct him to his location as at that time, that they needed to see that fateful Sunday night by all means.

“After persistent calls, that my brother should  come home or if possible, describe his whereabout, then,  my brother came home and went straight to that his neighbour’s compound.

“While they were at the compound discussing, another of their neighbours came to joined them and all of a sudden, the gunmen arrived the compound and  immediately went straight to the immigration officer, picked  only him at gunpoint, leaving the remaining two people behind.

“The neighbour’s action looks very suspicious and that is why we called for his arrest. He has been arrested and currently in police custody until our brother is released.

“As I speak with you, the kidnappers have opened discussion with the family. They are demanding for N20 million ransom for his release as at today”, he said.

The Public Relations Officer of the  Nigerian Immigration Service NIS could not be reached for comment as at the time of filing this report.

Efforts to get confirmation from police was unsuccessful as the Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Sewuese Anene, is yet to receive calls or respond to text messages sent to her cell phone

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