Operatives of the Benue State Police Command have detained 25 people for various crimes throughout the state.
A suspected spiritualist, his pregnant wife, and five others were arrested while traveling from Delta to Benue states.
SP Catherine Anene, the state command’s spokesman, stated in a statement produced and made available to journalists on Wednesday that 15 suspected arms makers had been arrested.
Anene further stated that two others were apprehended after robbing one Misaq Eke in Mbakiya village, Ugondo District, Makurdi, the capital city.
The statement read in parts, “On November 21, 2023, at about 1900 hrs, while a police team was on routine patrol along Barracks Road, Makurdi, information was received that one Godspower Oghenerumu, a suspected ritualist (yahoo yahoo), his pregnant wife, and five others had arrived in Makurdi from Delta State and were carrying out ritual activities.
“The team rushed to the scene and arrested the spiritual leader, his wife, and five others.
“During the investigation, followers of the ritualist stated that they were involved in some ritual activities in Delta State that did not yield any money as promised.
“Godspower told them that the spirit had directed that they should move to Benue, where further directives would be given to them on how money would be manufactured.
Furthermore, she revealed that “on November 15, 2023, at about 1620 hours, the team busted the hideout of arm dealers along Vandeikya-Adikpo Road and arrested one Fater Terkula Sunday and Jem Demesugh.
“On-the-spot search of the hideout led to the recovery of six locally fabricated barretta pistols and a motorcycle.”
The PPRO confirmed that the suspects’ exhibits included a locally made Barretta handgun, two gas cylinders, one welding cylinder, two welding nozzles, and a Sienna bus.
“Godspower told them that the spirit had directed that they should move to Benue, where further directives would be given to them on how money would be manufactured.
She added, “On November 15, 2023, at about 1620 hours, the team busted the hideout of arm dealers along Vandeikya-Adikpo Road and arrested one Fater Terkula Sunday and Jem Demesugh.
“On-the-spot search of the hideout led to the recovery of six locally fabricated barretta pistols and a motorcycle.”
The PPRO said that the exhibits confiscated from the suspects were a locally made Barretta handgun, two gas cylinders, one welding cylinder, two welding nozzles, and a Sienna bus.