The Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police has said one notorious bandit has been confirmed dead after engaging its operatives in a gun duel on Wednesday, January 7, at Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area (LGA).
DSP Udeme Edet, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Command, in a statement issued on Thursday, January 8, in Makurdi, the State capital, said the bandits, whose plan was “to kidnap a hotelier within the area, opened fire upon sighting the police operatives.”
According to the statement, “The patrol team responded with superior firepower, during which one of the bandits sustained fatal gunshot injuries.
Terkaa Samuel from Jandekyula, Wukari Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State, was identified as the injured bandit who was confirmed dead at the General Hospital, Zaki-Biam, by the attending medical doctor.
In another operation at Jato- Aka, Kwande LGA, eight suspects, including Mvaater Adebo, Pineter Akurayati, Daniel Ese, Samuel Kwaghzer, Isaac Iorapul, Terungwa Tertese, Aondonenge Aper, and Ternenge Aondokura, have been arrested for cult-related activities.
Police say they were arrested after a violent clash between rival cult groups known as Red and Black.
“The clash resulted in the death of two male persons, while other victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment,” DSP Udeme says in a statement.
DSP Udeme quotes the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, as reassuring the people of Benue State of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
The commissioner also encouraged members of the public to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information that can aid crime prevention and detection in the state.
