Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
The Benue State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against banditry after operatives neutralized a notorious bandit and successfully thwarted a planned kidnapping in Ukum Local Government Area. The incident occurred on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, around 11:43 a.m. near Channel Two in Zaki-Biam.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, credible intelligence alerted the command to an armed gang’s plot to abduct a prominent hotelier in the area. Officers from the Ukum Division swiftly mobilized and engaged the suspects, who opened fire upon sighting the patrol team. In the ensuing gun battle, one bandit sustained fatal gunshot wounds due to the superior firepower of the police.
The deceased was identified as Terkaa Samuel, a suspected notorious bandit from Jandekyula in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. Recovered from him were a locally fabricated Beretta pistol, two rounds of live 9mm ammunition, and a bag containing charms. He was rushed to the General Hospital in Zaki-Biam, where a doctor confirmed him dead.
Tactical and patrol teams have since been deployed to neighboring communities to track down fleeing gang members, some of whom may have sustained injuries. The command remains on high alert to prevent any reprisals.
In a separate operation on the same day, operatives from the Jato-Aka Division in Kwande LGA responded to a violent clash between rival cult groups known as Red and Black. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of two persons and left several others injured. Eight suspects were arrested, while police recovered a locally made pistol, an expended cartridge, two axes, and two machetes. Injured victims were evacuated to medical facilities for treatment.
Commissioner of Police in Benue, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, commended the officers for their swift response and professionalism. He reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, while urging the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support crime prevention efforts across the state. These operations underscore ongoing efforts to curb banditry and cult-related violence in Benue’s troubled zones.
