The Benue State Police Command has arrested a suspected ammunition courier and recovered 115 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition during a security operation in the state.

The command disclosed the development in a statement issued by its spokesperson, CSP Udeme Edet, noting that the arrest followed a routine patrol by operatives who intercepted two men riding a motorcycle.

According to the statement, one of the suspects managed to flee after spotting the approaching police officers.

“Upon sighting the police, one of the occupants alighted from the motorcycle and fled into a nearby bush.

“The remaining suspect, identified as Joro Jarkata, a 20-year-old male from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, was apprehended.

“A search conducted on him led to the recovery of one hundred and fifteen (115) rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his possession,” the statement read in part.

The police said the suspect remains in custody while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Makurdi for a detailed investigation.

According to the command, detectives are working to determine the source of the recovered ammunition, identify its intended destination and uncover those connected to the illegal movement of the consignment. Efforts are also ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the officers for their alertness and prompt action, which resulted in the successful interception and seizure of the ammunition.

The police commissioner also reiterated the command’s commitment to combating the proliferation of illegal arms and dismantling criminal networks threatening the safety of residents across Benue State.

The command further appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.

Gunmen suspected to be bandits causing mayhem in parts of Benue State have abducted a Catholic seminarian, Mr. Kelvin Ochai.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Wednesday, when the armed men attacked the Bishop’s residence at the Asa III area in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.

A statement issued on Friday by the Otukpo Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo confirmed the incident.

The statement said Bishop Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, “who is deeply saddened by this unfortunate development”, has called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and all people of goodwill to earnestly pray for the seminarian’s quick and safe release.

“We commit our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den throughout the country to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors,” the statement added, offering prayers for the release of the seminarian and other Nigerians held by bandits and other gunmen.

Niger State Police Command has dismantled a notorious kidnapping syndicate linked to violent attacks in parts of the state and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, recovering 10 AK-47 rifles and arresting 71 suspects in a month-long offensive against criminal networks.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, disclosed the achievements during a press briefing in Minna, saying the command’s intelligence-driven operations in July also led to the recovery of 15 AK-47 magazines, 330 rounds of live ammunition and the rescue of kidnap victims.

Elleman said the breakthrough followed months of surveillance on armed gangs terrorising communities around Garam, Chachi, Ijah-Gwari, Ijah-Koro, Gauraka and the Kaduna Road corridor.

According to him, the suspected gang leader, Samaila Ilya, alias Yakumujuri, was arrested on July 10 at Kpakungu Roundabout, Minna, after earlier escaping during a fierce gun battle with police operatives in Bwari, Abuja.

During interrogation, the CP stated that the suspect allegedly confessed to participating in several kidnapping operations in Gauraka, Kubwa and Bwari while also narrating how members of the gang killed the son of a kidnapped woman despite collecting ransom before eventually releasing her.

The police commissioner said information supplied by the suspect led operatives to hidden weapons dumps in Gauraka forest and Bwari, where additional AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered.

Elleman explained that five other suspected members of the gang were also arrested, while three kidnapped victims were rescued during a tactical operation.

In another major operation, police intercepted one Zubairu Mohammed in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area, while conveying five AK-47 magazines and 185 rounds of live ammunition concealed inside a bag of cement.

Investigations are ongoing to identify the intended recipient of the weapons.

The commissioner said police also arrested suspects involved in armed robbery, culpable homicide, violent clashes and other criminal activities across the state.

He disclosed that the command rescued nine children and one abducted baby during the period, while recovering 17 stolen goats, four cows, three motorcycles and two vehicles.

Overall, he stated that the command recorded 71 arrests in July, recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, 15 magazines and 330 rounds of ammunition, describing the operations as a significant blow to organised crime in Niger State.

Other exhibits recovered included three cartons of tramadol, two bags of cannabis, 16 cutlasses, three plastic pistols, ATM cards, POS machines, mobile phones, face masks, assorted clothing and cash of ₦352, 000.

Elleman then assured residents that the police would sustain intelligence-led operations and pursue fleeing members of criminal gangs, urging the public to continue providing timely information to security agencies.