The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a suspected notorious bandit during a gun battle with operatives in Ukum Local Government Area following an attempted kidnapping.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said the incident occurred at about 11:43 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after credible intelligence revealed that armed bandits had been sighted around Channel Two, Zaki-Biam, allegedly planning to abduct a hotelier.
He said operatives from the Ukum Division were immediately deployed to the area, but the suspects opened fire on sighting the patrol team, leading to a shootout. One of the bandits was fatally wounded after officers responded with superior firepower.
Police said a locally fabricated Beretta pistol, two rounds of live 9mm ammunition, and a bag of charms were recovered from the scene.
The injured suspect was taken to the General Hospital in Zaki-Biam, where he was confirmed dead. He was later identified as Terkaa Samuel, described by the police as a notorious bandit from Jandekyula in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The command disclosed that additional patrol and tactical teams have been deployed to comb the area and track other members of the gang who escaped, some of whom are believed to have sustained gunshot injuries.
In a separate operation earlier the same day, operatives attached to the Jato-Aka Division responded to a violent confrontation between two rival cult groups, identified as Red and Black, which reportedly left two persons dead and several others injured.
Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the clash, while items recovered included a locally fabricated pistol, an expended cartridge, two axes, and two machetes. The injured victims were taken to medical facilities for treatment, and efforts to apprehend other fleeing suspects are ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, reassured residents of the command’s resolve to safeguard lives and property, while urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support effective policing across the state.
