The Benue State Police Command apprehended four members of a suspected robbery gang that was terrorising areas of Makurdi town during a raid on their hideaway in the town.
The operation also resulted in the recovery of a variety of weaponry and ammunition.
According to a statement published Monday in Makurdi by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene, the apprehended gang members are also suspected of belonging to the same cult group.
The suspects were apprehended by agents of the Joint Task Force, JTF, of the Command codenamed “Operation Zenda” after receiving credible intelligence, according to Command.
The statement explained that “after credible intelligence was gathered about the armed robbery syndicate operating around Kighir, Kanshio and Adeke communities, officers from Operation Zenda JTF stormed their hideouts for raid.
“On sighting the police, the group engaged the police in an exchange of fire. In the process, one of the armed robbers sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to Teaching Hospital Makurdi where he was receiving treatment but eventually died and has been deposited at the hospital morgue.
“Other gang members arrested include; Tersoo Akatakpo aka ‘General’, Gowon Akatakpo, Ikya Atseriyol and Terver Iortimdee. The Suspects confessed that they are members of Junior Vickings confraternity, JVC, as well as armed robbers.
“Items recovered from them are; one single barrel gun, two locally made pistols, five live cartridges, four expanded empty shells of cartridges, two Dane guns, one red baret with JVC logo and three handsets suspected to be stolen.”
The Command stated that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation into the matter was completed.