Police arrest 7 Pakistanis, 58 others, kill 17 bandits in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has arrested seven Pakistani nationals in Otukpo Local Government Area over suspicious presence, as part of the Statewide crackdown operations that also led to the killimg of 17 bandits.

Cletus Nwadiogbu, Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, who disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Makurdi, said that 58 other suspects were also arrested during the operations, 4 AK47 rifles, 23 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, 6 locally fabricated pistols, 2 motorcycles, 4 GSM phones, 3 bags of cannabis, and several charms were recovered between June/July.

According to him, on the 01/07/2026 at about 2100hrs, the Divisional Police Officer, Otukpo received intelligence that some foreign nationals lodged at a Hotel in Otukpo.

“operatives moved to the hotel and confirmed the identity of the seven persons as: Mohammed Yakoub, 28; Mohammed Imran, 26; Mohammed Usman, 21; Mohammed Iqbal, 24; Mohammed Shonkat, 35; Mohammed Jamshaid, 25; and Abdul Ghaffar, 27. All are citizens of Pakistan”, CP Nwadiogbu said.

He stated that the suspects claimed they had valid travel documents and were in Otukpo for “market survey and feasibility study” to establish an electronics sales shop.

“The CP informed that the CID is currently investigating and profiling them at Command Headquarters to ascertain the true purpose of their visit”, he added.

On the other operations, Nwadiogbu said on 02/07/2026, operatives of Operation Zenda stormed a bandits’ hideout at Tse Gaagum, Mbavuur Ward, Logo LGA Four suspected armed bandits were neutralized during a gun duel. A locally fabricated AK47 rifle with six rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, GSM phones and charms were recovered.

Also in Logo LGA, on 07/07/2026, one bandit was neutralized at Tse Kyanyon Village, Mbater, with one AK47 ammunition, two phones, one Honda motorcycle and charms recovered.

In Katsina-Ala on 28/06/2026, two armed robbery suspects were neutralized during a raid on a phone shop in Tor-Donga. One AK47 rifle with six rounds, one pistol with eight rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered.

He said, in Konshisha LG, three suspects were arrested over the killing of two men from Yala, Cross River State, at Wuese Village. Police said the attack was a reprisal for the earlier killing of Pastor Aor Iorzua in Alifokpa, Yala LGA.

In Ohimini LGA, ten suspects were arrested over the killing of Fulani Ardo, Risku Rabo Mohammed, and one Yakubu Isah along Okwudu-Ogoli road.

In Naka, Gwer West LGA, seven suspects were arrested after the burial of youth leader Peter Iorkohol turned violent and one Terlumun Kulen, 38, was macheted to death.

In Makurdi, one Abdullahi Usman, 23, of Awe, Nasarawa State, was arrested in connection with the killing of Professor Gabriel Saawua Nyityo, 58, and his 18-year-old brother, Iorngee John Nyityo, at Adaka Community.

The CP said, in Guma LG, one armed robbery suspect was arrested and a red Honda motorcycle, BRT 236 VC, recovered. Five herders were also arrested for grazing on farmlands.

In Katsina-Ala, 15 suspects were arrested during a raid on a criminal hideout at Ucha Village, with three bags of suspected cannabis recovered.

In Gboko, 12 suspects were arrested for alleged cult activities during the annual 7/7 cult celebration. An axe and cutlass were recovered.

In Ukum LGA, one Mbalumen Ikyenge was arrested for allegedly setting a house of his alleged lover ablaze, leading to the death of his two children aged 6 and 4.

In Makurdi, four locally fabricated Beretta pistols were recovered from a Sharon bus that came from Ayingba, Kogi State.

Nwadiogbu said the breakthroughs reflected the Command’s resolve to deny criminals space in Benue.

“While reiterating the command resolve to remain firm in pursuing offenders, we recognize that security is a shared responsibility. We urge residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies,” he said.

The CP added that the Command remains committed to protecting lives and property, enforcing the law professionally, and collaborating with the media and communities.