In Major Breakthrough, Benue Police Nab Wanted Kidnap Kingpin, 21 Other Suspected Kidnappers

George Okoh in Makurdi

Barely two weeks after the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, Sunday Ajunwa, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Orokam part of the LGA following a protest by the residents over the rising kidnap cases in the area, the Benue State Command has arrested an alleged wanted kidnap kingpin identified as Yusuf Muhamed and 21 other suspected kidnappers in the town.

 It was gathered that the wanted kidnapper was apprehended during a special operation after being trailed by operatives of the command for several days.
According to the sources, the suspect, a physically challenged man who goes by the nickname “OC Torture” among his gang members, was identified by some of his victims, which helped the police track him.
The manhunt for the gang of kidnappers terrorising that part of the state followed the sudden surge of their activities that led to the murder of a mother and her visiting son after a failed kidnap attempt by the gang, among several incidents.

The development compelled the Chairman of Ogbadibo LGA, Ajunwa, to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Orokam about two weeks ago following the protest by residents over the troubling development.
“The Commissioner of Police deployed a Tactical Team, the Mobile Police Squad, alongside personnel of Civil Protection Guards who combed Orokam and its environs. Their operation yielded the positive result we are celebrating today.
“It goes to show that with the cooperation of locals, the police and other security agencies can achieve set targets which would help check incidents of crime in the society,” a resident of Orokam said.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of Ogbadibo LGA, Ajunwa, said, “It is true that Yusuf has been arrested by the combined team of police from Makurdi and Enugu, as well as the vigilante in the area.
 “He attempted to run, but the youths pursued and caught him. Those he kidnapped made confessional statements about how he tortured them in captivity. He is now in police custody along with 21 others.

“Yusuf is a Fulani man. The security situation in Orokam is stable, though the curfew from 6 pm to 6 am is still in force. But I am thinking of lifting it after meeting with security agencies and stakeholders.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to be briefed on the development.