By Kazeem Waris
The Benue State Police Command has arrested a woman, Hemen Wuese, over the alleged abuse of two girls in Injorov Village, Turan, Kwande Local Government Area, resulting in the death of one of the children.
The command also announced the rescue of 29 kidnapped victims in separate security operations across the state.
Briefing journalists, the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the incident involving the children was reported at Jato-Aka Division following an allegation relating to ₦14,500.
He said one of the children died, while the surviving girl was rescued and reported to be in stable condition.
The suspect allegedly inflicted severe injuries on the children, including inserting pepper into their private parts, according to the police.
“The body of the deceased was deposited for autopsy, while the surviving child was rescued and reported to be in stable condition. Investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident,” Nwadiogbu said.
In a separate case, police arrested three suspects over an alleged cult-related attack on a resident along Maiduguri Street, Wadata, Makurdi.
The victim was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Apir, where he later died. The suspects remain under investigation as police work to establish their individual roles in the incident.
29 kidnapped victims rescued
The commissioner said four passengers abducted by gunmen along the Uzer Village axis of Ayilamo–Tse-Abi Road in Logo Local Government Area were rescued through a joint operation involving the police, Operation Whirl Stroke, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local hunters.
The driver of the commercial vehicle was reportedly killed during the attack.
In another operation, security operatives rescued 17 farmers allegedly abducted from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in Bamun Village, Tombo District, Logo LGA.
Nwadiogbu said the operations demonstrated the command’s commitment to protecting rural communities and safeguarding residents.
In Ohimini Local Government Area, eight kidnapped victims, including a Catholic priest and people returning from a market, were rescued along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road.
Police arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.
“Through sustained search-and-rescue operations involving police personnel, the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, two victims were rescued, while six others were subsequently rescued,” the commissioner said.
He added that the victims were taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical examination and necessary treatment.
Nwadiogbu stressed the importance of intelligence sharing, prompt response and cooperation among security agencies and community-based security groups in tackling kidnapping and violent crime.
He assured residents that investigations would continue and suspects would be prosecuted where sufficient evidence established their culpability.
