Police arrested 300 criminals in Benue in 3 months

NO fewer than 300 suspected criminals were arrested by the Benue State Police Command for various criminal activities in the past three months.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Bashir Makama,  disclosed this on Tuesday to newsmen while giving a scorecard of his activities in 100 days in the state.

Makama, who said at the time he assumed office crime was on the high,  added that  with the efforts of his men and strategic approach employed, several criminals had been arrested.

He further explained that 645 rounds of ammunition and 24 cartridges were recovered within the period, adding that  95 various items, including  vehicles, motorcycles, air conditioners, sound-proof generators, generator panels, electricity transformers, bags of Indians hemp, cattle and sheep were also recovered.

The state police boss added  that 76 arms, ranging from AK-47 rifles, locally-made pistols, locally-made revolver pistols, pump action guns, English made pistols, locally-made Barreta pistols, fabricated rifles, locally -made SMG, as well as dane guns were recovered from the suspected criminals.

He stated that the command also recovered over N2,117,620. cash during the period.

“Our renewed efforts have yielded results in the arduous task of securing the state, especially in cases of kidnapping, homicide, motorbike snatching, as well as cult related acts.

“It will interest you to know that there had been no case of kidnapping in the last three  months.

“Let me emphasise here that the success so far attained is as a result of intelligence strategy, sustained raid of criminal hideouts, sustained patrols at junctions and quick cash centers like supermarkets and banks,” he disclosed.

He also commended their synergy with other security agencies in the state.

Speaking on the case of the state’s most wanted and dreaded criminal,  Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Gana, Makama said the command  received information about his whereabouts, but each time we got the information, it seems  not to be direct or he slips from them, assuring that the police would apprehend him.

While also speaking on the state  Commissioner  for Arts/Culture, Mr Sekav Iortyom, who was allegedly involved in homicide, the Police Commissioner said “the commissioner got dissatisfied with the manner the case is being handled here and so petitioned a higher authority in Abuja.

“There is no hiding place for him. We have put in place all machineries to prosecute him. The law will take its course on him.”