Benue Police Repel Attack, Recovers Arms, Ammunition

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Benue State Police Command says it has arrested a suspected criminal and the recovered large live ammunition in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

A statement by DSP Udeme Edet Police Public Relations Officer Benue State Police Command indicates that the arrest followed a credible information regarding the movement of a male suspect identified as Saamoga, also known as Aleki, who was allegedly conveying live ammunition from Gbagir to Zaki-Biam on a commercial motorcycle.

Based on the information, a patrol team was immediately mobilised and deployed to Tse Dubem area of Ukum Local Government Area, where a stop-and-search operation was conducted. Upon sighting the police patrol team, the suspect reportedly disembarked from the motorcycle and attempted to evade arrest.

In the course of the operation, the suspect was immobilised with a shot in the leg and taken into custody.

A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of one hundred and seventeen (117) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed inside socks within his handbag. Other items recovered include charms and a mobile phone.

During preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed that the ammunition was being conveyed to Taraba State.

The suspect was subsequently taken to the General Hospital, Zaki-Biam, for medical attention, where he later died while receiving treatment.

In a separate development, the Command on the 6th of February 2026 received a situation report on an attack by suspected armed herdsmen on Edikwu Icho in Apa Local Government Area.

The attack was repelled through the efforts of operatives of the Benue State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). Following the intervention, the general security situation in Apa Local Government Area remains calm.

Additionally, the bridge linking Ugbokpo, Idogbu, Ochumeku, and Ikobi, which was earlier burnt by suspected herdsmen, is currently being replaced. Reconstruction work is ongoing under heavy security presence to ensure the safety of personnel and members of the public.

The Command acknowledges the continuous support and collaboration received from other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Civil Protection Guard, and relevant Benue State Government officials, whose synergy with the Police has remained instrumental in the successful execution of operations and the maintenance of peace and public safety across the State.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, has commended the officers and men of the Command for their prompt response and professionalism across the affected areas.

The Commissioner reassures the good people of Benue State of the Command’s commitment to sustaining proactive and intelligence-led policing towards ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the State.

The Command urges members of the public to remain calm and continue to cooperate with the Police by providing timely and credible information that can aid crime prevention and detection.