…Quizzes serving ward councillor over Benue Killings
By Dele Ogbodo
The Nigeria Police on Tuesday said 11 suspects have been apprehended across Plateau State over the recent killings of over 200 innocent persons which sent shivers and mourning across the country. Fulani militias are suspected to have orchestrated the massacre between 23rd and 24th of last month.
Addressing the media on the arrest, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, said immediately the massacre took place, the Inspector General of Police Mr. Ibrahim Idris deployed Police Special Intervention Force to Plateau State to restore lasting peace in Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Jos South LGAs.
He said other troubled spots in the state, and the relocation of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to the State along with 2 Helicopters, 5 APCs, 3 PMF Units, 2 CTU Cells and deployment of Police Intelligence Unit to the crisis affected areas in Plateau State.
The Force PRO said the suspects include: Biliaminu Abdullahi, Samaila Saleh, Muhammadu Kabiru, Aminu Mohammed, Alhassan Saidu, Abubakar Adam, Gazali Isah, Hamza Inusa, Yahuza Yau, Dahiru Ahmed and Friday Musa, adding that 5 AK47 Rifles, 2 live cartridges were recovered from them as exhibits.
The Police, he said is assuring the people of the State of adequate security of lives and property in the State and hereby implored them to support the Police personnel deployed in their localities to sustain the peace that have been restored to the State.
Also he said 8 suspected bandits involved in recent killings in Benue State have been arrested, adding that they include Benjamin Bagugba Tivfa, 32 years, identified as a serving honourable Councillor of Fidi Council Ward, Makurdi, Benue State.
Tivfa, according to Moshood, admitted to have supplied arms and ammunition to the bandits for their criminal activities, Victor Ganabe, 35 years, a native of Gwer West, Naka, Benue State, Daniel Kyase, Mbaku, Makurdi, Benue State, admitted to be a member Benue State Livestock Guards, Alhaji Adajo Tomza, native of Tse Egbe, Gwer West, Benue State – (admitted to be a member Benue State Livestock Guards), v. Msugh Teraki, native of Sengv, Naikpe, Gwer West, Benue State, admitted to be a member Benue State Livestock Guards), Julius Avaan, native of Ikpayongu, Gwer East, Benue State, Terkula Udeh, native of Gwer West, Benue State and Sunday Cheche, native of Guma LGA, Benue State, who also admitted to be a member Benue State Livestock Guards.
Exhibits found with them included AK47 Rifles and 436 Rounds of AK47 ammunition
Moshood said the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) deployed to Benue State acted promptly on actionable intelligence and other information from concerned members of the public, trailed and arrested the 6 suspects in their hideout in a hotel in Naka village, Benue State and recovered the arms and ammunition listed above from their possession.
He said: “The arrest of the 6 suspects, namely; Victor Ganabe, native of Gwer West, Naka, Benue State, Daniel Kyase, native of Mbaku, Makurdi, Benue State, Alhaji Adajo Tomza, native of Tse Egbe, Gwer West, Benue State, Msugh Teraki, native of Sengv, Naikpe, Gwer West, Benue State, Julius Avaan, native of Ikpayongu, Gwer East, Benue State, Terkula Udeh, native of Gwer West, Benue State; led to the arrest of Benjamin Bagugba Tivfa, who is a serving Honourable Councillor of Fidi Council Ward, Makurdi, Benue State.
“The bandits confessed that the councillor is a member of their gang and responsible for supply of arms and ammunition including money to finance their operations. The councillor admitted to have bought 15 rounds of AK47 ammunition from the last suspect, Sunday Cheche, Native of Guma LGA, Benue State and also confessed to have provided money to finance the operations of the gang. The bandits admitted to have carried out several killings and armed robbery attacks on innocent people in different locations in Benue State. Investigation is in progress to arrest other members of the bandits at large. They will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.”