Joint security forces in Benue State have arrested suspects connected to the recent deadly attack in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, where several people were killed and thousands displaced.
Commissioner of Police Emenari Ifeanyi announced the arrests during a press briefing on Sunday, though he declined to reveal the identities of those apprehended. The arrests come days after President Bola Tinubu ordered security chiefs and the Inspector General of Police to apprehend those behind the attack.
Commissioner Ifeanyi credited the arrests to the strong backing of Governor Hyacinth Alia and confirmed that additional deployments from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, have arrived and been dispatched to rural communities across the state for enhanced security.
He also urged landlords and hotel operators to profile their tenants and guests to help prevent harbouring criminal elements.
During a recent visit to the state, President Tinubu had issued a direct challenge to the security services: “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 also addressed service chiefs and intelligence heads, urging a coordinated and intelligence-driven effort to prevent further violence: “Let’s get those criminals. DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence so this will not occur again.”
The Yelwata attack, allegedly carried out by armed herders, is one of several incidents that have recently rocked the state, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
