The police in Benue State have arrested 14 more persons for their involvement in cult activities at the North Bank metropolis of Makurdi, the state capital.
Daily Trust earlier reported the apprehension of 26 suspected cultists by the police in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Steve Yabnet, who paraded the 14 newly arrested suspects yesterday at the command’s headquarters in Makurdi during a press conference, said detectives deployed to the scene of a murder for investigation unravelled the hideouts of the suspects.
Yabnet noted that information was earlier received at ‘C’ Police Division, Makurdi that the corpse of a young man was seen at North Bank Makurdi which prompted the swift deployment of detectives to the scene for investigation.
“In the course of the investigation, it was revealed that the death of the suspect was as a result of a rival cult clash. Information was also gathered about their hideouts in the area,” he said.
He added that the suspected cultists were arrested at Avis Hotel and other areas of North-Bank with illicit drugs recovered from their various hideouts.
“On 19/11/2024 at about 2200hrs, a further joint operation was carried out by the operatives of Cyber Crime, Eagle Eye and Anti-cult department of the command. They launched an aggressive raid at hideouts of the suspected cultists and apprehended 14 more suspects.
“The following exhibits were recovered from them; two locally made pistols, three live cartridges, leaves suspected to be marijuana, six mobile phones, cash sum of N23,670.00, one single barrel gun, three ATM cards, criminal charms, shisha smoke pot, one laptop and one graven image,” he explained.
The commissioner said the suspects would soon be charged to court.
Yabnet stressed that the achievements are a testament of the command’s commitment to rid the state of crime and criminality, adding that the fight shall be sustained to ensure the security and safety of Benue residents.