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Benue State Police Command has arrested 41 suspects in a major operation targeting alleged “slaughterhouses” — notorious hideouts linked to abductions, ritual killings, and human trafficking — operating in Makurdi, the state capital.
The crackdown, which took place at black spots including Awe Street in Wurukum and Wadadata areas, was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udememe Edet, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The suspects are currently undergoing screening as investigations continue.
The arrests follow weeks of viral social media reports and testimonies describing Awe Street as a dreaded location where young people, particularly women and girls, are lured, abducted, and held captive under horrific conditions. Several accounts shared online detailed how victims were tricked by commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) who diverted them to the area under false pretenses.
One widely circulated testimony came from an unidentified individual who claimed to have been abducted on December 25, 2025, while returning from a church programme near the International Market in Makurdi. The person narrated boarding an okada around 8:30 pm, only to be taken to Awe Street. There, he alleged being pushed into a house that felt “dreadful” with a heavy demonic presence. Inside a room, he reportedly encountered about 10 young girls, one of whom was standing naked and crying.
The victim described approaching the crying girl, who explained she had been brought there early that morning after being deceived by an okada rider. The rider had asked for time to pick up a parcel for a waybill, leading her to the location. She allegedly offered her abductors ₦1 million to spare her life, but the offer was rejected.
Another account shared by a concerned parent detailed how his daughter narrowly escaped a similar fate after an okada rider attempted to lure her to the same dreaded street. She gave an excuse and alighted from the motorcycle in time.
DSP Edet acknowledged the trending allegations on social media, stating that the command had received and forwarded the reports for action. “A raid of black spots was organised at Awe Street, Wurukum and Wadadata Street, where 41 suspects were arrested for screening,” she said.
The operation comes amid growing public outrage and fear over the safety of residents, especially young women and girls, in parts of Makurdi. Social media has played a significant role in amplifying these disturbing claims, prompting swift police response.
While no official confirmation has been given on the number of victims rescued or the exact nature of activities at the raided locations, the arrests represent a significant step in addressing what many residents describe as a serious security threat in the state capital.
Authorities have urged members of the public with credible information to come forward, assuring that investigations will be thorough and that any confirmed criminal elements will face the full weight of the law. The police also called for calm while operations continue to dismantle such alleged criminal networks.
