Benue State’s joint security services have announced a breakthrough in the recent deadly attacks in the Yelwata area, confirming the arrest of suspects linked to the violence. The announcement was made by Commissioner of Police Emenari Ifeanyi during a press briefing on Sunday, though the identities of those arrested were not disclosed.
This swift action comes after President Bola Tinubu’s direct order last Wednesday to service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), demanding the apprehension of those responsible for the “dastardly attack.”
Commissioner Ifeanyi credited the success of the operation to the crucial support received from Governor Hyacinth Alia. He also confirmed that the additional security deployments from IGP Kayode Egbetokun have now arrived in Benue and have been strategically posted to rural communities to bolster effective policing.
In a call to action for the public, Commissioner Emenari urged landlords and hotel owners to diligently profile their tenants and clients. This measure, he emphasised, is vital to prevent the presence of terror elements within Benue State.
“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,” Tinubu had charged the IGP during his visit to Benue last Wednesday.
“Christopher (the Chief of Defence Staff), you have given much. I watch your comments, you can’t be tired of staying in the bush. Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground, let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out. DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again.”
Last week, the Yelwata community in Benue State‘s Guma Local Government Area faced a devastating attack. Suspected herders stormed the food-producing region, resulting in numerous fatalities and displacing thousands of residents.
