The Benue State Police Command has said the eight suspected highway robbers terrorising Makurdi-Lafia road users it arrested recently will be made to face trial after investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, stated that the suspects were apprehended shortly after the gang leader, identified as Terhemba Dabo, was picked up following an intelligence report.
A statement from the command on Tuesday added that the 29-year-old gang leader, who had been on the police wanted list, led officers to their hideout where other members of his gang were apprehended.
The statement read in parts, “Operatives of Benue State Police Command arrested the suspected leader of the vicious highway robbers along the Makurdi-Lafia Road on 02/12/2024 at about 1000hrs following intelligence gathered.
“Terhemba Dabo, ‘m’, AKA Kough, 29 years, of Udei, Guma Local Government Area, had been on the wanted list of the police until information was gathered that the said suspect had been in his hideout around the International Market area where he was arrested.”
The police boss stated that other gang members including a female were rounded up at their hideout.
The suspects included Kwaghve Asemapav, Aondonenga Awarga, Nongun Mbakuugh, Nomsoo Raphael, Kpaver Godwin, Joseph Jimeshio and Desen Kaashima, ‘F’, all of Udei town.
Items recovered from the suspects were: one G-3 rifle, three pairs of camouflage uniforms, one bulletproof jacket, one beret, one police uniform, a black boot and a carved wooden rifle.
While stating that the suspects had confessed to the crime, the CP said a detailed investigation was ongoing to arrest other suspects at large, adding that the suspects would be charged to court immediately investigation was completed.
The police boss however warned criminals within the state to desist from their activities or relocate from the state.
