Police Arrest Notorious Kidnap Kingpin In Benue

A joint operation involving police officers from Benue and Enugu States has led to the arrest of a suspected leader of a kidnapping gang, identified as Yusuf Muhamed, in Orokam, located within the Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Reports indicate that the suspect and his gang had been causing terror in several communities within the local government, prompting the local government chairman to enforce a curfew in the area.

A local resident, Mike Agbo, stated that the gang leader and other members were captured during the week.

“The suspect’s identity was confirmed by three kidnapped victims who revealed that Muhamed was the officer in charge of torture in the kidnappers’ camp,” he said.

The chairman of Ogbadibo LGA, Sunday Ajunwa, spoke to journalists on Saturday, August 30, confirming that the leader of the kidnapping gang was apprehended by a combined team of police and local vigilantes in the region.

“It is true that Yusuf has been arrested by the combined team of Police from Makurdi and Enugu as well as the vigilante in the area. He attempted to run but the youths pursued and caught him. Those he kidnapped made a confessional statement of how he tortured them in captivity,” Ajunwa said.

The chairman further noted that the suspect, along with 21 other individuals, was being held in police custody.

Ajunwa, who also acknowledged that the widespread insecurity in his council led to the imposition of a curfew from 6pm to 6am, stated that the security situation in the area has since improved.

“The security situation in Orokam is stable though the curfew from 6pm to 6am is still enforced. But I am thinking of lifting it after meeting with security agencies and stakeholders,” the chairman added.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli