Police nab 145 suspects over farmers-herdsmen crises - Presidency

macfranc007 March 12, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Tunde Ososanya

- In connection with the recent farmers-herdsmen clashes in Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states, 145 suspects have been arrested

- The suspects, who have been charged to court, were apprehended by the police

- A presidency official said that 21 others are under investigation

The Nigeria Police have arrested 145 suspects in connection with the recent farmers-herdsmen clashes in Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states.

This was disclosed to State House correspondents on Sunday, March 11 by a presidency official who craved anonymity, Daily Trust reports.

NAIJ.com gathered that the official stated that the suspects had been charged to court with 21 others under investigation.

According to him, 106 suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy and inciting disturbance of public peace in Wadata, Makurdi, Benue state.

The official recalled that 24 persons were killed on March 5 while 20 others went missing following attacks by suspected herdsmen in Okpokwu local government area of Benue state.

He also stated that early in the year, three suspects with AK-47 rifles were also apprehended by the police intelligence team in Benue, nine members of untrained civilian JTF/livestock guards with prohibited firearms were apprehended by the military in Arufa, a boundary town between Benue and Taraba with five AK-47 rifles.

A police source said: “Similarly, 16 suspects were arrested in Gboko LGA and investigations are ongoing, while several members of armed militia and unknown gunmen were killed or apprehended by the police.

“Other arrests made include that of 6 suspects on January 1, 2018 following the police response to the killings in Akor Village in Guma LGA on December 31, 2017. Exhibits recovered from the suspect include 3 cutlasses, charms and other items. All the suspects were charged to court for culpable homic*de.

“Concerted efforts are being made by the police to apprehend all culprits in the conflict,” a police source said. The Nigerian Police have had their fair share of attacks while trying to fish out the culprits, our correspondent gathered.”

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that Benue police command said it arrested 59 persons in connection with the recent cult-related crises in some parts of Makurdi, the state capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Moses Yamu, made the disclosure in an interview with the in Makurdi.

He said that the command had already deployed additional personnel to the affected parts of the town to restore peace and order as well as to check the spread of the crises.

Victims of Herdsmen killing buried in Benue State - on NAIJ.com TV