Benue communal crisis: Troops arrest 10 suspects, recover 16 weapons, ammunition

Ten people have been arrested by security operatives in connection with the communal crisis in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

Sixteen riffles and several ammunitions were recovered at the troubled Ibilla and Ukpa communities in Oju council area.

A local source in the communities said that a combined team of security operatives led by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have stormed the two communities on a search operation.

Ibilla and Ukpa communities were last Friday engulfed in crisis during the visit of a team of National Population Commission to the area to carry out delineation exercise.

Several houses were set ablaze and many people injured during the clash.

A local source from one of the communities who spoke to newsmen said the arrival of the joint Military Troops to Ibilla and Ukpa communities brought the situation under control.

According to the source, “On the first day that the army arrived at the areas, they arrested nine people, recovered nine firearms, 59 ammunitions, eight cutlasses, two axes, nine handsets and one Volkswagen car.

“On Sunday night, troops also raided the two communities during which they recovered seven more firearms and arrested one more suspect.

“The boys thought that the soldiers had left and had again come out in the night to wreak further attacks when the soldiers swooped on them and arrested nine of them with some arms and ammunition.”

The suspects were said to have been moved to Makurdi for further interrogation.

When contacted, the Force Commander of OPWS, Maj Gen. Adeyemi Yekini declined to comment but directed our Correspondent to the Defense Headquarters Information Department.

Benue State Command Public Relations Officer, DSP, Catherine Anene, confirmed the arrest of some persons adding that investigation was still in progress.

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Benue communal crisis: Troops arrest 10 suspects, recover 16 weapons, ammunition