George Okoh in Makurdi
Five suspected bandits have been arrested in Benue State following a crackdown on criminals by the new state Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka.
Those arrested included the second-in-command to the late notorious criminal, Terwase Agwaza (aka Gana), and two suspects who specialise in manufacturing local guns of different types for armed robbers.
Briefing journalists in his office at the command headquarters in Makurdi yesterday, CP Onyeka said the Command under his watch would not tolerate criminality of any kind.
He said after he received briefs from his predecessor about the activities of bandits and other criminals in the state, on resumption of office, he deployed all available human and material resources to rid the state of crime.
The commissioner said the arrest is the outcome of one of the current operations in the state.
He said: “On August 14, 2023, at about 0340hrs, officers from Operation ZENDA JTF Tactical Team trailed and arrested a dreaded and vicious bandit kingpin named Kumaor Fachir Daniel, popularly known as second in Command to late Gana on Adikpo-Ugbema road.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of four other gang members, including Torwuese Ashiekaa, Aondongu Aligbe, Terkula Wuhe (aka Oryughurt), and Terhemba Sevav, 47, member of the gang from Adikpo Kwande, who specialised in fixing and manufacturing rifles for the gang.”
According to him, “Two AK-47 rifles, two other fabricated AK-47 rifles, two Berretta pistols; and in the process of fabrication, one double barrel gun loaded with 35 live cartridges, 130 rounds of 7.62X 39mm live ammunition were recovered from them.”
He added that other suspects escaped from the scene, warning criminals and intending criminals to desist from such acts and turn a new leaf, just as he said: “I will not tolerate criminality in Benue State. I will fight them.
“I was asked to come here to replicate what I did in Plateau State. My vision and mission in this job are policing with the fear of God. When you intentionally break the law and come begging for mercy, it becomes very difficult. Sometimes, people might take my principle as wickedness but it is not.
“My agenda in Benue State is very simple. I’m here to ensure that the people of the state sleep with their two eyes closed. We are equally here to ensure that we protect the lives and property of the Benue people.”
The commissioner called on the people of Benue State to cooperate with the police by giving useful and timely information that will assist the Command in tackling crime, because “a crime-free society makes room for sustainable development that can propel a state to greater heights, particularly our dear state that is endowed with so many resources.”
