From Our Correspondent – Makurdi

Benue State Police Command says, it has arrested eight persons involved in a violent protest, by suspected bandits, with an attempt to attack a police station

In a statement today 4/7/24, by the command, The SUPREME learnt that, yesterday 3/7/2024 based on information received from Ukum Police Division that suspected bandits had attacked a village in Ayati community of Ukum LGA where six persons were killed. Police teams were immediately deployed to prevent further attacks.

It is worthy of note that Ukum is a boundary area between Benue and Taraba state which has been a turbulent area in the state.

This turbulence increased after the death of the dreaded popular Gana and Ukum has attracted the highest deployment of security agents in the state.

According to the statement, the deployment was made to curtail activities of bandits that are found in three LGAs; Ukum, Logo and Kastina-Ala collectively called Sankera axis.

At about 0800hrs, violent protesters in hundreds began a protest obviously sponsored by criminals to unleash mayhem on the people and destabilise security network that has prevented them from operating freely in the area especially with recent successful operations that dislodged several bandit camps in the last two months.

During the violent protest, personal and government properties were destroyed. These hoodlums also made an attempt to invade Ukum Police Division but were repelled by officers on guard duty.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue state command, CP. Hassan Steve Yabanet is said to have since moved to the area with tactical teams and heads of other security agents to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
Eighteen suspects have been arrested and investigation is ongoing.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Anene Sewuese Catherine confirmed the story in the statement.

For advert placement, media coverage or public relations consultancy, SMS 08057641919