Police kill 3 suspected bandits in gun duel

The police in Benue State have killed three suspected bandits during a gun battle in a series of operations carried out across the state within one week. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the command also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two locally fabricated […]

The police in Benue State have killed three suspected bandits during a gun battle in a series of operations carried out across the state within one week.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the command also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two locally fabricated guns and several rounds of live ammunition during the operations.

Edet said the successes were recorded between June 6 and June 12, 2026, through intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols and joint security operations aimed at tackling armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping and cultism.

She stated that the major breakthrough occurred along the Vaase-Chito Road in Ukum Local Government Area, where operatives of the Gbeji Division, working with members of the Community Volunteer Guards, engaged suspected bandits in a fierce gun battle after receiving reports of their activities in the area.

According to her, three of the suspects were killed during the exchange of fire, while others escaped on motorcycles with gunshot wounds and are being tracked.

The operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of live ammunition and a motorcycle from the scene.
Edet added that operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit in Makurdi arrested a suspect allegedly found in possession of a locally fabricated revolver pistol and six rounds of live ammunition.

She also disclosed that operatives raided a criminal hideout at Gyemu Settlement in Guma Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of a suspected member of the notorious Red Skin cult group.

Similarly, operatives of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force arrested an alleged armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate leader in Gboko Local Government Area and recovered a locally fabricated firearm, five rounds of live ammunition and charms from him.