Police Gun Down 6 Bandits in Benue, Arrests Usman Hardo, a Wanted Kidnapper in Nasarawa State

From Aviashima Toom, Abuja 

SAHEL ReportersNews: Police authorities in Benue State have eliminated 6 bandits who were tormenting the Sankara region, comprising Katsina/Ala, Ukum, and Logo local government areas of the State.

The operation was executed by the men of Operation Zenda, a joint security task force in the state.

Mrs Catherine Anene, the spokesman of the command disclosed this in a statement.

She said that the task force, acting on an intelligence report, stormed a bandit camp in Mbavuur ward, Logo LGA.

According to Anene, the operation led to a gun duel with the criminal elements, which resulted in the deaths of six bandits. The fleeing members of the group are still being pursued.

Recovered from the scene were one AK-47 rifle and two locally fabricated short guns loaded with ammunition. The bodies of the neutralized bandits were deposited at NKST Ugba morgue.

Also, in a separate development, a 22-year-old suspect, Tersoo Dabo, was arrested in connection with robberies along the Makurdi-Lafia road.

He confessed to being part of a seven-man gang operating in the area. His confession led to the arrest of Martin Akunu, a 37-year-old spiritual leader of the gang, who was found with a locally made double-barrel gun, 162 balls of suspected local ammunition, and gunpowder.

On July 28, 2024, a police patrol team at Daudu arrested Usman Hardo, a wanted kidnapper from Keana, who was involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling in Nasarawa State and Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other gang members.

Commissioner of Police Hassan Yabanet commended the people of Benue State for their continuous support to the police and their resilience in fighting crime.

 He assured the public that the police command is committed to eliminating criminality in the state.