Police repel attack by armed herdsmen in Benue, officer injured

By; Zagazola Makama

Tactical police teams on patrol in Benue have repelled an attack by suspected armed herdsmen in Adaka Village along Makurdi-Naka Road, during a gun duel that left one officer injured.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on June 21 at about 12:30 p.m. following intelligence reports on the movement of armed herders around Adaka Village and the areas behind Modern Market and Niongun, all within Makurdi metropolis.

According to the sources, the tactical teams, deployed from Daudu to Yelwata, swiftly responded and advanced to the identified hotspots.

“Upon arrival at Adaka along Makurdi–Naka Road, the team encountered heavily armed herders grazing freely on farmlands. On sighting the police team, the herders opened fire, prompting a gun duel,” he said noting that
the officers, however, repelled the attack with superior firepower.

During the exchange, one police officer, Inspector Ankyume Moses, attached to Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) Base 20 Abuja and currently on special duty in Daudu Division, sustained a bullet wound to his left leg.

He was immediately evacuated to the Police Clinic in Makurdi, where he is responding positively to treatment. An X-ray conducted confirmed that the bullet did not affect any bone.

The police said normalcy has been restored in the area, and further patrols have been intensified to prevent any resurgence of violence or attacks on farmlands and communities.

Police repel attack by armed herdsmen in Benue, officer injured

Police constable arrested over attempt to transport pistol, Indian hemp to NYSC camp in Jos

By: Zagazola Makama

The Benue State Police Command has arrested a serving police constable in connection with an intercepted consignment containing a locally made pistol, gunpowder, suspected Indian hemp, and other items allegedly intended for delivery to a corps member at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Jos, Plateau State.

Zagazola Makama gathered from a Police sources that the incident occurred on June 21 at about 2:30 p.m. following a distress call from a security personnel.

According to a police sources, a yet-to-be-identified young man had brought two sacks containing tubers of yam, suspected Indian hemp, a locally made pistol, and gunpowder to the park for shipment to one Gedor Justice, an Idoma indigene said to be serving at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Jos.

However, when Justice noticed there was trouble with the delivery, he allegedly contacted his friend, Police Constable Ageli George, attached to the X-Squad unit in Makurdi, to intervene and ensure the items were sent successfully.

Before PC George could arrive at the park, the sender, sensing danger, fled the premises and has since gone into hiding.

The police sources confirmed that the constable, along with the recovered locally made pistol and other exhibits, is currently in custody. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has commenced a thorough investigation into the matter.

The sources said efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest the fleeing suspect, as well as establish the full circumstances surrounding the attempted shipment.

The police sources said that the command reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on misconduct and criminal collaboration by any serving officer, promising that justice would be served.

Police constable arrested over attempt to transport pistol, Indian hemp to NYSC camp in Jos

Death toll in Plateau bus attack rises to eight, 22 suspects arrested

By: Zagazola Makama

The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 22 suspects in connection with the deadly attack on passengers in Mangun community, Mangu Local Government Area of the state, bringing the death toll to eight.

Zagazola Makama report that the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, has visited the scene of the incident as part of intensified efforts to apprehend all culprits and bring them to justice.

An updated eyewitness account revealed that the targeted vehicle was conveying 31 passengers from Zaria to Qua’an Pan for a wedding ceremony not 28 passengers as initially reported. The witness further disclosed that three persons are still missing as of the time of reporting.

Police authorities through its Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, confirmed that 22 suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the attack. Meanwhile, efforts are being redoubled to track down other fleeing perpetrators and to ensure the safe rescue of the missing persons.

One of the injured victims, earlier receiving treatment, was confirmed dead in the early hours of Saturday, raising the official casualty figure to eight.

In a show of leadership and empathy, the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, contacted his Kaduna State counterpart, Sen Uba Sani and engaged directly with the bereaved families. Following consultations, the families agreed that the remains of the victims be buried in Mangu, Plateau State.

The Plateau State Government and security agencies have assured that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring justice for the victims and in preventing further escalation of violence in the region.

Death toll in Plateau bus attack rises to eight, 22 suspects arrested