Police kill 3 suspected armed robbers in Benue
The Police in Benue State have killed three suspected armed robbers during a gun battle in series of operations carried out across the state within one week.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme, in a statement on Sunday, noted that the command also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two locally fabricated guns and dozens of live ammunition during the operations.
Udeme said the successes were recorded between June 6 and June 12, 2026, through intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols and joint security operations aimed at tackling armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping and cultism.
She stated that the biggest breakthrough came along the Vaase-Chito Road in Ukum Local Government Area where operatives of Gbeji Division, working with members of the Community Volunteer Guards, engaged suspected armed bandits in a fierce gun battle after receiving reports of their activities in the area.
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The PPRO further stated that three of the suspects were killed during the fire exchange, while others escaped on motorcycles with gunshot wounds and currently being tracked.
She said the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of live ammunition and a motorcycle from the scene.
Udeme added that in Makurdi, operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit arrested a suspect allegedly found with a locally fabricated revolver pistol and six rounds of live ammunition, noting that investigations were ongoing to establish other criminal links connected to the suspect.
The police spokesperson explained that operatives of the command also raided a criminal hideout at Gyemu Settlement in Guma LGA following credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of a suspected member of the notorious Red Skin cult group.
She disclosed that criminal charms were recovered from the suspect, who reportedly confessed to cult-related activities.
Similarly, she said the operatives of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force arrested an alleged armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate leader in Gboko LGA and recovered a locally fabricated firearm, five rounds of live ammunition and charms from him.
Udeme explained that the suspect was later taken to hospital for treatment after sustaining injuries during an attempted mob attack.
The PPRO further disclosed that officers attached to Okpokwu Division foiled a robbery attack at an NYSC corps members’ lodge in Ugwu Okpoga, Okpokwu LGA and arrested one suspect while others fled the scene.
She noted that in all, the police recovered two locally fabricated firearms, one AK-47 rifle, 32 rounds of live ammunition, a motorcycle and several criminal charms during the operations.
Meanwhile, the new Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended officers involved in the operations for their professionalism and bravery while assuring residents of the Command’s resolve to sustain the fight against crime.
