IGP ANNOUNCES ARREST OF 26 SUSPECTS LINKED TO BENUE MASSACRE, VOWS JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has confirmed the arrest of 26 individuals allegedly involved in the recent massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, where 47 persons were killed.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the IGP revealed that two additional suspects who were earlier arrested have since been cleared of wrongdoing, having only served as bait in the operation that led to the arrest of the key suspects. He noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing individuals connected to the attack.
Egbetokun assured Nigerians that the police remain fully committed to restoring peace and order, despite the growing security challenges. He stated that the force is currently intensifying its mop-up operations targeting illegal light and small arms, while strengthening border patrols to curtail the inflow of irregular migrants.
The IGP also disclosed that 22 suspects arrested in Jos over the brutal killing of nine wedding-bound travellers in Quanpan will be charged to court alongside those involved in the Benue killings.
This development comes days after President Bola Tinubu issued a stern directive during his visit to Benue, urging security chiefs to arrest those behind the heinous attack.
“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,” the President said, calling for swift and coordinated action from all security agencies, including the NIA and DSS.
Last week, suspected herders stormed Yelwata, a community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, in a deadly assault that left dozens dead and forced thousands to flee their homes. The joint security services in the state confirmed the arrest of some suspects on Sunday, though their identities were not disclosed by the State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi.
The Inspector General emphasized that justice will be served and that the police will not rest until all perpetrators are brought to book.
