JTF repel bandits’ attack in Benue, arrest two suspects

By: Zagazola Makama

OPS Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF), has repelled an attack by suspected armed bandits in Yonov Ward, Logo Local Government Area, arresting two suspects and recovering a motorcycle.

Sources said the incident occurred at about 10:20 a.m. on Feb. 23, when the Commander, OPS Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF), alongside personnel on special duty and the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), responded to a distress call that armed bandit herdsmen were destroying farms and advancing towards the community.

The team reportedly moved to the area to effect arrests but came under gunfire from the bandits, leading to a gun duel. The police, however, overpowered the attackers with superior firepower, forcing them to flee into the bush and abandon a Honda motorcycle, which was recovered at the scene.

Two suspects were arrested during the operation. According to police, the suspects claimed they had purchased the disputed land from a notorious bandit identified as Abagu at an undisclosed sum.

Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects, while investigation into the incident continues.

JTF repel bandits’ attack in Benue, arrest two suspects

One killed, four injured as bandits attack traders in Katsina-Ala in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits on motorcycles on Tuesday attacked traders along Tavachan on their way to Tor-Donga Market in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue, killing one person and injuring four others.

Sources said that at about 8:00 a.m. that the assailants had opened fire on the traders, injuring some and robbing others of their money.

Security forces were swiftly mobilized to the scene, while the injured victims were rushed to General Hospital, Katsina-Ala, for treatment. One of the victims, Sunday Kwaghkaa, 40, was confirmed dead while receiving treatment. His corpse has been deposited at the hospital mortuary.

Police recovered 12 expended machine gun shells and 12 expended AK-47 rifle shells from the scene of the attack.

Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice, while investigation into the incident continues.

One killed, four injured as bandits attack traders in Katsina-Ala in Benue

Presidential delegation visits Yelwata graves as police probe fresh abduction in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

A Presidential Medical Delegation on Monday arrived Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue to inspect the graves of victims of the June 2025 attack on the community.

Security sources said the delegation visited the site where those killed in the 2025 incident were buried, and the graves were duly identified. The remains are scheduled to be exhumed on Feb. 24 as part of ongoing investigative and medical review processes.

The sources said that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free exercise.

Meanwhile, at about 1:01 p.m. on Feb. 23, one Waziri Waau, 38, a commercial driver from Ankpa, Kogi State, reported at Naka Division that his vehicle developed a mechanical fault at about 11:02 a.m. while en route from Ankpa to Lafia, Nasarawa State, with nine passengers onboard.

According to sources , after fixing the fault and preparing to continue the journey, four persons riding on two motorcycles reportedly surrounded the vehicle and abducted one of the passengers, identified as Mohammed Jafaru of Lafia, Nasarawa State. The abductors allegedly claimed they wanted to verify the victim’s identity before taking him away.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Naka, accompanied by detectives, visited the scene to gather further information, while the driver has been detained to assist in investigation.

Police said efforts were ongoing to ascertain the identities of the suspects, secure the release of the victim and effect arrests.

Presidential delegation visits Yelwata graves as police probe fresh abduction in Benue