Benue Police Crack Down On Cultists, Arrest 18 For Alleged Murder, Robbery, Others
The Benue State Police Command has made significant arrests in a crackdown on cultist activities and other crimes, apprehending 18 suspects in connection with murder, robbery, and other offenses.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, Catherine Anene, the first major arrest occurred on February 9, 2025, following reports of renewed cult activities in the Wadata area of Makurdi, the state capital. It was alleged that members of the Black Confraternity clashed with the Red Confraternity during a meeting across the River Benue. The violence resulted in the deaths of three rival cult members.
The police were able to recover three bodies at the scene and arrested ten individuals in connection with the killings. The suspects, identified as Simon Mande, Moses Tarlumun, Jamilu Idris, Seleki Joseph, Ahmed Dayabu, Muazu Usman, Akor Ada, Terfa Wergba, Almustapha Abubakar, and Usman Gambo, are all males from Wadata. Investigation is ongoing to capture other suspects who are still on the run.
On the same day, the police received information about a suspicious individual, Obadiah Samaila, who was seen in Makurdi with a child he could not explain the origin of. Upon interrogation, Samaila confessed to stealing the child from his home in North-Bank for trafficking. He was promptly arrested.
Earlier, on February 6, while on patrol along the Makurdi-Naka Road, officers from Naka Division arrested five men with a stolen Nissan truck loaded with iron pipes. The suspects—Idris Garba, Mohammed Usman, Ibrahim Mohammed, Rafa Muazu, and Sunday Demekaa—could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the items, which were later traced back to vandalized petroleum pipelines in Gwer-East Local Government Area.
Additionally, on February 7, police received information about a robbery gang operating near Yogbo village in Guma Local Government Area. Officers from Daudu Division raided the area, leading to the arrest of Yakubu Kantoma, 32, and Abu Ishaku, 25, both from Sekereke, Yogbo. One of their victims identified the suspects, and investigations are ongoing.
In response to these events, Commissioner of Police Steve Yabanet urged parents, caregivers, and educators to monitor their children and warn them about the dangers of joining unlawful groups or engaging in criminal activities.
