May 23, (THEWILL) – Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, CP Julius Okoro Alawari, has paraded the dead body of a kidnapper killed during an operation in the Katsina-Ala local government area of the state.
He said three of the gang members were arrested, while ten victims in their custody were rescued in their den.
“On 13/05/2023 at about 1900 hours, information was received that Dr Etito Obadiah, a medical doctor with Federal Medical Center, Makurdi, was kidnapped at Judges Quarters and his Kidnappers had started negotiation for ransom.
During the investigation, a team of Operation Zenda JTF trailed the Kidnappers to their hideout at Gaya Village, Utange council ward in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue state.
“On sighting the Police, the kidnappers engaged them in a gun duel that claimed the life of one of the kidnappers; three suspects were arrested while others escaped into a nearby bush with bullet wounds.”
According to CP Alawari, items recovered from them include 1 locally fabricated AK47 rifle with 10 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, 2 single barrel rifles, 1 locally made barrette pistol loaded with 3 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and two military uniforms; the investigation is ongoing.
He explained that information was received at Otukpo Police Division that an unknown corpse was seen at the Edikwu river bank with internal organs removed and a team of detectives were deployed to the area for investigation.
“During the investigation, it was revealed that the lifeless body was one Babatunde Moses aged 29 years who was last seen sitting with his friends in a burial ceremony.
“The following suspects have been arrested in connection with the case; Idoko Omoru, Eze Emmanuel, Obande Emmanuel, Ameh Peter, and Sunday. An investigation is ongoing to unravel the mystery behind the death and removal of internal organs.”
CP Alawari stated that while Police teams were on patrol along Makurdi-Lafia road, information was received that some gunmen had accosted a vehicle conveying passengers to Enugu at Daudu with the intent to move these passengers to an unknown destination and requested for ransom.
According to him, the Police swiftly moved to the scene and on sighting the Police, suspects abandoned their victims and took to their heels.
According to the Commissioner, the suspects also abandoned a bag containing military camouflage uniforms and wooden guns and the victims have since been released to continue with their journey, while an investigation is ongoing to arrest suspects at large.
He assured Benue people of his commitment to making sure that they sleep with their eyes closed and commended the media for reportage of the Command’s activities.
He sued for continuous cooperation given for his predecessors so that much could be achieved in the course of policing Benue State.
