No fewer than 42 bandits and herdsmen have been arrested by the police in Benue State, the Police Commissioner, Dr Ifeanyi Emenari, has hinted.
Emenari disclosed that twenty of them are armed herdsmen, while the other 22 are bandits, adding that they were all arrested in connection with the killings in the state.
While briefing journalists, Emenari revealed that they were arrested at different times, and held in various custody, while some are being investigated for various criminality.
The police boss disclosed that mobilised his team and visited crisis prone areas such as Gwer West, Apa in Benue South Senatorial District, Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum, respectively.
He added that the Command had taken the fight to those responsible for the attacks and killings in Benue communities, stressing that tactical teams had already been drafted to flashpoints across communities in the state.
“I was posted to Benue State on the 24/04/2025 and assumed duty on 26 April 2025. Upon assumption of duty, I stepped up strategic plans to tackle insecurity in the state.
“I visited crisis areas such as Ankpali in Apa, Naka in Gwer West, Ayilamo in Logo, Amafu in Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Agatu, Udei, Yogbo in Guma local government areas, and many others. I had discovered that farmlands have no farmers. Therefore, we have deployed our tactical teams to the areas and are now combing the communities in search of the killers.
“We have a mandate to ensure that these communities are safe for the people to go back to their homes and engage in farming activities.
“And in the last month we have arrested 42 of armed herdsmen and local bandits from these communities. Most of them have been charged to court.
“We also have about 10 herdsmen who have been remanded by the courts in the course of their trial.
“Apart from those already charged to court, there are others who are still being investigated and they would be charged to court at the end of the investigations,” he stated.
He added that the command had tackled the issue of cultism in the state.
“The fight against the menace has led to reduction in cult related attacks in the state in the last one month,” he added.