The police in Benue State have arrested Tersoo Dabo and Martin Akunu in connection with recent highway robberies on the Makurdi-Lafia road.
Akunu, 37, is reportedly the spiritual leader of the gang and was said to be fortifying them before their operations.
The state Police Command spokesperson, SP. Catherine Anene said in a statement on Tuesday that following intelligence on a bandit camp at Mbavuur ward, Logo Local Government Area, a team from Operation Zenda JTF raided the camp.
“During the operation, six bandits were neutralised while others escaped. Their corpses were recovered and deposited at NKST Ugba morgue while the fleeing suspects are still being trailed,” she said.
Anene also mentioned that items recovered from the scene included an AK-47 rifle and two locally fabricated short guns loaded with ammunition. “We also arrested one Tersoo Dabo, 22, who confessed to being part of a seven-man gang operating on the Makurdi-Lafia road,” she added.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Martin Akunu, who was found with a locally made double barrel gun, 162 suspected local ammunition balls, and gunpowder. Anene noted, “Akunu fortified the gang before their operations.”
In a related development, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has urged residents and Nigerians to cancel the planned nationwide protest set for August 1, 2024. He emphasized that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu is working hard to address the people’s concerns.
Alia stated, “Recall that August 1, 2024, has been mooted as the planned date for demonstration by unidentified groups across the country, who are citing hardship and bad governance as the reason for their protest. It is imperative for the planned protest to be shelved in the state and country, especially as the present government is trying its best to put smiles on the faces of the people.”
He praised the state Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, and the Department of State Services for their efforts to dissuade union leaders from joining the protest. The governor assured that President Tinubu values the people of Benue State and is committed to ongoing projects in the region.
Commenting on the ongoing insecurity in the state, Governor Alia described the Ukum crisis as “unfortunate.” He alleged that “Abuja politicians are playing a major role in the ongoing militia attacks in Ukum” and criticized the previous administration for breaking trust with the militiamen. He promised that efforts are being made to resolve the insecurity issues in the state.
