The Benue State Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious bandit allegedly responsible for multiple attacks on security personnel in Benue and Nasarawa states.
Security expert, Zagazola Makama, confirmed that the suspect, identified as Yongu Justine Makwagh of Kadarko in Nasarawa State, was apprehended at about 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Balcony Park, Makurdi, after months of sustained surveillance.
Makama said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Daudu led the operation based on credible intelligence, with support from operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on special duty.
A security source told that Makwagh had been on the command’s wanted list over his alleged involvement in violent attacks within the Sankera axis.
“The suspect was earlier linked to the killing of two Safer Highway Police personnel at Yelwata and two operatives of the Department of Operations (DOPS) in Daudu, during which firearms were carted away,” the source said.
Police authorities described the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing operations to dismantle bandit networks across Benue and neighbouring states.
They confirmed that the suspect is in custody and undergoing interrogation, adding that efforts are ongoing to recover additional weapons and track down his accomplices.
Bandit attacks on schools and places of worship have intensified in recent weeks, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a national emergency to address the worsening security situations.