Benue Police arrest three suspects, recover firearms, drugs, weapons in anti-cult operations

Benedicta Aboh

The Benue State Police Command has recorded further operational successes in its sustained offensive against cultism and other violent crimes across the state, with the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of firearms, weapons and hard drugs.

The Command's spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet in a statement said the latest breakthroughs were achieved on January 5, 2026, following credible intelligence received by police divisions in Vandeikya and Yelewata, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Benue State.

According to the Police, at about 2:30 p.m. on the same day, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Vandeikya Division received information that suspected armed robbers were sighted in the area, allegedly in possession of dangerous weapons.

Acting swiftly, the DPO mobilised a patrol team of operatives and detectives to the location, where two suspects were arrested.

The suspects were identified as Dominic Terkaa Peter, 30, and Sunday Tarvihi, 31, both from Ako-Fate, Ute, in Vandeikya Local Government Area. A search conducted on them led to the recovery of a locally fabricated revolver pistol and a jack knife.

In a related operation at about 3:20 p.m. the same day, the DPO of Yelewata Division acted on intelligence indicating that suspected cult members were planning attacks on rival groups and unsuspecting members of the public in Udei area of Guma Local Government Area. Patrol teams, in collaboration with other tactical units, were immediately deployed to the area.

During the operation, one suspect, identified as Mnyam Ternenge, 21, of Udei, Guma Local Government Area, was arrested, while other suspects fled the scene. Items recovered from him included a cutlass, a knife and hard drugs.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect confessed to being a member of the MBS cult group.

All the arrested suspects are currently in custody, while investigations are ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Makurdi. Efforts are also underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Emenari Ifeanyi, reassured residents that the Command remains resolute in its determination to eradicate cultism and all forms of criminality in the state.

He urged members of the public to continue to support the Police by providing timely and credible information to aid effective policing.

The Police said further updates would be provided as investigations progress.