Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun announced the arrest of 53 suspects in connection with recent violent attacks that claimed dozens of lives across Benue and Plateau States.
Addressing journalists Tuesday, at Force Headquarters in Abuja, Egbetokun described the June 13 assault on Yelewata community in Benue as a “coordinated attack of terror” that left 47 dead and 27 injured.
The police operation yielded significant breakthroughs, with 26 suspects apprehended for the Yelewata massacre. Investigators recovered two general-purpose machine guns and eight AK-47 rifles used in the assault. Egbetokun detailed the painstaking investigation that led to arrests between June 19-23, beginning with two prime suspects whose capture unraveled the network behind the attack.
“All 26 suspects are currently in custody and have voluntarily confessed to their individual and collective roles in this attack,” the IGP confirmed, adding that legal proceedings had been finalized for their prosecution.
In Plateau State, police arrested 22 suspects connected to the June 22 mob violence in Mangu that killed nine travelers and injured three others. The victims were attacked while transiting from Zaria before security forces intervened to rescue 22 surviving passengers. Another five suspects were nabbed for the June 23 killing of two truck travelers in Makurdi’s Agan area, with Egbetokun vowing all perpetrators would “face the full weight of the law.”
The police chief issued a stern warning against retaliatory violence, condemning the “barbaric, senseless, and dangerous” trend of reprisal attacks that target innocent civilians. He revealed ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of weapons, stating: “Almost on a daily basis, we recover arms,” while emphasizing enhanced border security measures.
Egbetokun also addressed police misconduct, cautioning officers against using his name to perpetrate illegality. On freedom of expression, he drew a clear distinction: “I don’t care if you abuse me. But we will arrest anyone who publishes falsehoods against any public official.”
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