Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu has directed a 14-day security operation targeting illegal firearms and criminal hideouts across Benue State as part of intensified efforts to tackle insecurity.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Makurdi on Friday, Disu disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had instructed security agencies to end the security challenges in the state, emphasising that only duly authorised security personnel are allowed to carry firearms.
He warned that anyone found in illegal possession of weapons would face the full weight of the law.
The IGP said police officers had been directed to clamp down on illegal firearms and act decisively under Force Order 237 whenever confronted by armed criminals.
He assured residents that coordinated security operations would continue until lasting peace is restored across the state.
Also speaking, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Mobile Policing, Francis Iduh, disclosed that security agencies had identified 14 major flashpoints for the special operation across Benue.
He listed Gbajimgba, Arufu, Agasha, Kwande, Agatu, Naka, Otukpo, Makurdi, Apa and other vulnerable communities as areas mapped for intensive surveillance, adding that stability and clearance patrols would target forests, farmlands and other criminal hideouts.
Iduh said the 14-day operation would focus on flushing out armed herders, bandits and other criminal elements without victimising law-abiding residents.
He urged communities to provide credible intelligence to enable security agencies to apprehend offenders while assuring that the operation would be intelligence-driven and community-focused.
Iduh maintained that security agencies would distinguish between criminals and innocent citizens while sustaining efforts to restore peace across Benue State.
