Benue State Police Command has rescued nine victims and arrested three suspected kidnappers and three internet fraudsters in their hideout across the state.
In a statement in Makurdi on Wednesday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene said information was received that, while a Benue Links vehicle was conveying passengers from Onitsha to Makurdi, gunmen suddenly emerged from a nearby forest around Ojano-Oglewu, at a boundary between Oturkpo and Ohimini and shot sporadically at the vehicle, causing the vehicle to stop at the forest.
She said that the driver of the said vehicle sustained gunshot injuries that led to his death while the passengers were kidnapped.
“During the investigation, nine victims were rescued while the investigation continued. On 17th June, 2024 three suspects, named Saleh Hassan ‘m’, Yakubu Alhaji Kande and Yunusa Idris all of Keana LGA in Nasarawa state were trailed and arrested in connection with the case. The Investigation is ongoing.”
The statement added that on June 17, 2024, information was received about a criminal hideout at Kighir village, along Naka road and a team of police officers was detailed to raid the place.
The PPRO said during the operation, one Philip Matthew 25 years, Haribu Jafai 27 years and John Ode Arubi 24 years, were arrested.
According to her, items recovered include 2 iPhones, 5 laptops, different ATM cards suspected to be used for fraud and five 9mm live ammunition.
The statement explained that suspects confessed to being internet fraudsters as seen on their phones and laptops as the investigation is ongoing.
