The Benue State Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious bandit believed to be responsible for multiple deadly assaults on security operatives in Benue and Nasarawa States.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that the suspect, identified as Yongu Justine Makwagh from Kadarko in Nasarawa State, was apprehended around 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Balcony Park in Makurdi after several months of coordinated surveillance.
According to gathered intelligence, the operation was led by the Divisional Police Officer of Daudu, who acted on credible information and received backup from operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Sources revealed that Makwagh had been on the police wanted list for a long time due to his alleged involvement in violent attacks within the Sankera region.
“The suspect had previously been linked to the murder of two Safer Highway Police officers in Yelwata and two Department of Operations (DOPS) personnel in Daudu, during which their weapons were stolen,” a source disclosed.
Police officials hailed the arrest as a significant achievement in the ongoing crackdown on bandit gangs terrorising Benue and nearby states.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect is being detained and interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to retrieve more weapons and identify other members of the criminal network.
In recent weeks, bandits have escalated attacks on churches and schools, heightening fear among citizens. The surge in violence prompted President Tinubu to declare a national emergency to address the worsening insecurity.
