The Benue State Police Command has reported the rescue of 29 kidnapped victims and the arrest of 48 suspects during security operations conducted across the state in October, as authorities intensify efforts to address kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed the operational figures on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Makurdi.
According to the commissioner, the reported successes resulted from intelligence-led operations and collaboration among the police, other security agencies, community-based security groups, local hunters and vigilantes.
The command said the rescues occurred in separate incidents in Logo and Ohimini local government areas, while other operations resulted in arrests and the recovery of locally fabricated firearms and ammunition.
Four Passengers Rescued After Attack in Logo
The police commissioner said four passengers abducted after gunmen attacked a commercial vehicle along the Uzer axis of the Ayilamo–Tse-Abi Road in Logo Local Government Area were rescued on October 5.
The operation involved the police, Operation Whirl Stroke, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local hunters.
According to the police account, the driver was killed during the attack, while the passengers were subsequently rescued through a coordinated operation.
The incident highlights the security risks facing road users in parts of Benue, where attacks on travellers and rural communities have continued to raise concerns.
Seventeen Farmers Freed
In another operation, security personnel rescued 17 farmers who had reportedly been abducted from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in Bamun Village, Tombo District, Logo Local Government Area.
The victims were rescued on October 7, according to the police commissioner.
The operation involved security personnel working with local vigilantes and other community-based actors.
The rescue brought relief to the affected communities, where the abduction of farmers can disrupt agricultural activities, restrict movement and deepen concerns about safety in rural areas.
The police did not provide further details about the identities of the rescued farmers or the full circumstances surrounding their release in the operational briefing.
Eight Victims Rescued in Ohimini
The command also reported the rescue of eight kidnapped victims following an attack along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road in Ohimini Local Government Area on October 13.
The victims included a Catholic priest, according to reports of the police briefing.
The police had earlier announced that two victims were rescued on October 16, while six others were freed on October 18, bringing the total number rescued in the incident to eight.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the abduction, while investigations continued into the incident and efforts to identify other possible suspects.
The rescued victims were taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Otukpo for medical examination and treatment, according to the police account.
Police Report Arrests of 48 Suspects
Beyond the kidnapping-related operations, the police commissioner reported that the command arrested 48 suspects during its October operations.
The reported arrests included 34 foreign nationals whose immigration status and circumstances of entry into or movement within Nigeria were being investigated.
Police said 16 Cameroonian nationals were arrested in Otukpo Local Government Area on October 9 after they allegedly failed to produce the required travel documents at the time of their arrest.
In a separate operation on October 22, officers intercepted 18 Nigerien nationals at Orokam while they were reportedly travelling towards Ikom in Cross River State.
The police said the cases required further investigation and verification, with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant authorities expected to assist in determining the individuals’ immigration status and any appropriate action under the law.
The arrests do not, by themselves, establish that the individuals committed criminal offences. Their circumstances remain subject to investigation and due legal process.
Firearms and Ammunition Recovered
The command also reported recovering seven locally fabricated firearms and 16 rounds of ammunition and cartridges during the month’s operations.
Other items reportedly recovered included charms, mobile phones and ATM cards.
In a separate incident on October 2, a suspected bandit was killed during an encounter involving Operation Zenda personnel along the Amaafu–Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. A locally fabricated firearm was recovered during that operation, according to the police commissioner.
The command also reported arrests linked to suspected cult-related activities and other alleged offences in several locations across the state. Investigations into the separate cases were ongoing.
Police Call for Public Cooperation
The Benue State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could help security agencies prevent attacks, locate missing persons and identify individuals suspected of involvement in criminal activities.
The commissioner credited cooperation between security agencies and local communities with helping the command carry out the reported operations.
However, the latest figures represent the police command’s account of its activities and do not, on their own, establish that kidnapping and other security threats have been eliminated across the state.
Sustained progress will depend on effective investigations, lawful prosecution where evidence supports charges, protection for vulnerable communities and continued cooperation between residents and security agencies.
247NewsCheck.com will continue to monitor security developments in Benue State, including further rescue operations, investigations and measures aimed at protecting residents and road users, as additional verified information becomes available.
