Nigerian security forces have apprehended twenty-five suspected bandits and kidnappers during a strategic operation along the volatile Katsina-Ala–Takum Federal Highway in Benue State.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the arrests in an official statement released on Monday.
The operation was launched following credible intelligence reports warning of imminent attacks on Tor-Donga town by armed herdsmen and criminal elements. A joint security team conducted targeted patrols along the highway, focusing on known trouble spots.
According to police reports, the operation yielded its first results at Gbise, a recognised flashpoint along the route, where four suspects were captured attempting to flee upon encountering security forces.
During subsequent sweeps of the area, operatives identified suspicious movements and conducted thorough searches, leading to the arrest of twenty-one additional suspects believed to be connected to recent kidnapping cases and banditry activities in the region.
Authorities have intensified security measures throughout Katsina-Ala and surrounding areas in response to escalating security challenges, including frequent armed herdsmen attacks and abductions.
The police statement emphasised that all arrested suspects are undergoing interrogation to establish their involvement in criminal networks operating in the border region between Benue and Taraba states.
Local residents have expressed cautious optimism about the operation’s outcomes, though many continue calling for a sustained military presence to maintain security along the critical transport corridor. Security analysts note that while such targeted operations disrupt criminal activities temporarily, long-term solutions require addressing the underlying issues fueling instability in the region.
The police command has assured the public of continued vigilance by security forces and urged communities to report suspicious activities, emphasising the importance of civilian cooperation in maintaining security. The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, with authorities promising to prosecute all those found culpable of criminal offences.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
