Nigeria Police neutralise bándits, rescue victims, recover wéapons in Benue state

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has recorded breakthroughs in its ongoing operations towards combating violent crimes, including kidnapping, cultism, and armed robbery, resulting in the arrest of suspected kidnappers, the recovery of arms, and the rescue of victims.

The Benue police command, through strategic intelligence, intercepted bandits posing an impending attack against the law enforcement officers in Shitele and Ukum areas, engaging the group in a fierce gun duel near the Tse-Gondo axis of Sankera.

According to the police report, three of the suspects have been confirmed dead in the hospital, while the officers recovered two locally made firearms and live ammunition from the scene.

In another operation in Delta state, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Special Assignment Team intensified its clampdown on organised criminal networks, leading to the arrest of a suspected serial vehicle thief identified as Henry Okpor.

The suspect, when apprehended, had a pump-action shotgun, a Toyota Highlander, and a Hyundai vehicle, both believed to be stolen.

Further operations targeting cult-related violence resulted in the arrest of two known members of the Vikings confraternity, identified as Mudiaga Okparume and Arinze Humble, with two Beretta pistols and five rounds of ammunition recovered from the suspects.

In Delta State, the Police responded swiftly to a report of abduction involving two individuals in Agbarho, tracking the suspects to the Uvwiama forest in Ughelli North Local Government Area, where both victims were safely rescued during a tactical operation.

Nine suspects linked to the abduction were arrested, and a arms including three pump-action shotguns, four other rifles, and thirteen cartridges recovered.

The Inspector General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun,in a statement issued by the Force’s Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, commended the efforts of the officers while reiterating the forces commitment to to ensuring safety nationwide.

The statement partly reads:

” The Nigeria Police Force has continued to make substantial progress through proactive policing strategies, in separate operations against criminal elements, resulting in the neutralization of notorious bandits, recovery of firearms and stolen vehicles, and the arrest of numerous suspects involved in kidnapping, cultism, and armed robbery.

“The Benue State Police Command has demonstrated its proactive capabilities in a recent operation targeting banditry. On May 3, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, Police operatives attached to the Benue State Command engaged in a gun battle, a group of bandits suspected to be from Shitele and Ukum, who were holding secret meetings at Sankera, planning attacks against security operatives in the area. During the fierce gun duel near Tse-Gondo axis, three bandits sustained fatal gunshot injuries and were later confirmed dead at the hospital. The operatives recovered several exhibits from the scene, including two locally fabricated guns and some live cartridges.

” Similarly, operatives of the Delta State Commands CP Special Assignment team arrested one Henry Okpor, a serial car snatcher, on 22nd April, 2025. A pump-action gun, a Toyota Highlander (Reg. No. RBC-414-BL), and a Hyundai car (Reg. No. LSD-367-DU), believed to be stolen, were recovered from him. The Command has also shown strides in suppressing cultism. On April 25, 2025, a sting operation by the CP Special Assignment team led to the apprehension of Mudiaga Okparume and Arinze Humble, confirmed members of the Vikings confraternity. The operatives recovered two Beretta pistols and five rounds of live ammunition. [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>>