At Utonkon, in the Ado Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, police officers from the Benue State Command of the Nigerian Police and some local residents on Sunday arrested 18 people suspected of being kidnappers.
According to information obtained by news organizations, the majority of the community members who helped detain the criminals were men from the just-formed Benue State Community Volunteer Guards.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, said in a statement that the police also recovered weapons and ammunition from the suspects. The statement was made available to Daily Independent in Makurdi on Monday.
One AK-47 rifle and two magazines with thirty rounds of live 6.72mm ammo were among the items retrieved from the accused.
According to Anene, “On 21/08/2022 at about 0730hrs information was received about suspected kidnappers who were trying to bypass police checkpoints at Utonkon road, Ado LGA.
“Police officers deployed to the area in collaboration with members of the community were able to intercept and arrest eighteen suspects all male of Ikpayongo, Gwer Local Government Area (LGA).”
She also said that investigation into the matter was presently ongoing.