Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command joint task force ,codenamed “Operation Zenda”, on Friday, arrested two suspected Fulani herdsmen identified as Abdul Muhammed and Yusuf Saidu.
The two suspected armed herders, had kidnapped one businessman called Mr. Okpeh Raphael, to their hideout in the forest before Police ran into them.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, a Superintendent of Police said in a statement said on Friday that at about 0900hrs, while a team of Operation Zenda JTF were on patrol within Otukpa, Ogbadibo LGA of Benue state, information was received that one Raphael Okpe of Akere village was kidnapped on his way to the farm.
Anene said the team responded immediately and chased the kidnappers into their hideout where they engaged them in a gun duel.
“Consequently, two of the suspects named Abdulahi Mohammed and Yusuf Saidu were arrested while the other suspects escaped with gunshot injuries.
“The victim who was already shot in the leg by the hoodlums was rescued and taken to hospital where he is responding to treatment.
“Ten rounds of AK47 ammunition were recovered from the hideout. Investigation is ongoing to arrest other suspects at large”, she said.