Police Arrest 34 Foreign Nationals, Rescue 29 Kidnap Victims In Benue

The Commissioner of Police Benue State Command, Cletus Nwadiogbu said the command has arrested 34 foreign nationals in two separate operations in the state in the month of October, 2026.

He disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday on the security situation and operational achievements recorded by the police in Benue, in October, 2026.

While he said that 16 Cameroon nationals were apprehended in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on October 9th 2026, by operatives of the command, he noted that another set of 18 Nigeriens were arrested on 22nd October, 2026, at Orokam.

Nwadiogbu explained that the Cameroonians who could not produce the required travel documents at the time of their arrest, were suspected of engaging in clandestine activities and heinous crimes.

On the other hand he stated that concerns were raised about the
circumstances of entry of the Nigeriens into the country as well as their inability to provide satisfactory explanations regarding their journey.

The commissioner explained that investigation into the two cases were currently ongoing.

In his executive summary of the activities of the police in the state within the period, Nwadiogbu noted that operatives of the police also rescued 29 kidnap victims.

Others are the arrest of 14 persons that were arrested for various other crimes; recovery of 7 locally fabricated firearms, the recovery of 16 ammunition and cartridges and the neutralisation of one bandit.

According to Nwadiogbu, “During the period under review, the Command also recorded cases involving foreign nationals whose circumstances of entry into and movement within the country required further investigation.

“On 9th October 2026, operatives of the Command arrested 16 Cameroonian nationals in Otukpo Local Government Area. Preliminary information indicated that the individuals could not produce the required travel documents at the time of their arrest.

“They are suspected of engaging in clandestine activities and heinous crime, and were taken into custody for investigation and verification of their immigration status, with appropriate authorities to be engaged as necessary.”

Similarly, he said that “on 22nd October 2026, operatives intercepted 18 Nigerien nationals at Orokam while they were reportedly transiting to Ikom in Cross River State. They were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation after concerns were raised about their circumstances of entry into the country and their inability to provide satisfactory explanations regarding their journey.

“The Command is taking steps to establish the relevant facts and involve the appropriate authorities, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, for profiling and any further action required under the law.

“The Command emphasizes that investigations into these cases are ongoing and that any further action will be guided by the findings and applicable legal procedures”, the police chief noted.

He also stressed that the operational successes recorded during the period under review reflects the importance of intelligence-led policing, prompt response to reports, sustained patrols and collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders.

The Command recognised that the cooperation of residents remains essential to effective crime prevention. Timely and credible information from members of the public can help the Police identify emerging threats, locate suspects, rescue victims and prevent further criminal activities.

He pointed out that the operational achievements that were highlighted was a demonstration of the Command’s continued commitment to combating crime, protecting vulnerable persons and responding to security threats across Benue state.

He therefore appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the state governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, for their support to the command that has strengthened the operations of the police in the state.

Similarly, he commended the contributions of sister security agencies in the state whose cooperation has complimented the efforts of the police, to maintain law and order.