By PETER DURU, Makurdi
It was a day of reckoning for suspected criminals and cultists in Benue State as police detectives recently arrested no fewer than 45 of the suspects. Assorted arms and ammunition of various calibre were also recovered from their hideouts.
It was said that most of the suspects however, pleaded that they were not robbers but cultists even though they refused to mention the names of their cult. Also recovered from the suspects were military camouflage and charms allegedly being used by suspects to perpetrate heinous crimes in the state and it's environs.
(http://vml1.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Benue-weapons.jpg?9d7bd4) (http://www.vanguardngr.com/?attachment_id=289672)Some of the weapons recovered Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, Mr. Ejike Alaribe who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Makurdi, said the suspects were apprehended in Makurdi town and some parts of the state.
Alaribe said the arrest of the suspects was in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Katso to all commands to beef up security and comb the nooks and crannies of the state to fish out those perpetrating criminality across the state.
He said the crack down would persist in the days ahead assuring that the Police in Benue State would not relent until "those engaged in criminality in the state are all apprehended".
Continuing, the police image maker said, "The Commissioner of Police has given express directive to all officers at the various commands and he has warned that the renewed onslaught must be total and not compromised."
It was also revealed that the state police boss has directed an intensified motorized patrol of the entire state by officers of the command adding that men and officers have also been detailed to embark on foot and motobike patrols.
He urged parents to keep a close tab on the type of friends their children and wards keep stressing, "We discovered that so many innocent children and youths are lured into cultism and other forms of crimes by their bad and evil minded friends, and unless we keep tab of the kind of friends our children keep, we may be giving them express approval to criminality."
Vanguard Nigeria