By Seyi Odewale
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced the arrest of 28 individuals in connection with the gruesome killings in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, which left 47 people dead.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the IGP said 26 of the suspects are believed to be the masterminds of the attack, while two others, initially detained, have been cleared of wrongdoing after it was discovered they were used as bait to apprehend the real culprits.
Egbetokun stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other perpetrators still at large, adding that the police are not overwhelmed by the growing wave of insecurity.
He also disclosed that the police are intensifying efforts to mop up illegal small and light weapons and are strengthening border patrols to curtail the influx of irregular migrants suspected to be contributing to the security crisis.
*22 others held over Plateau wedding killings
The police chief further revealed that the arrested suspects would be arraigned in court soon, including another 22 persons apprehended in Jos over the murder of nine travellers en route to a wedding in Quanpan, Plateau State.
The arrests follow President Bola Tinubu’s stern directive last week during his visit to Benue State, where he tasked security agencies with fishing out the perpetrators of the Yelwata massacre.
“Police, I hope your men are alert and listening. Why haven’t any arrests been made? I expect there should be arrests of those criminals,” the President said during a security briefing.
The President also urged intelligence agencies to enhance their surveillance systems to prevent future attacks: “Christopher (Chief of Defence Staff), you’ve done a lot. I watch your comments. You can’t be tired of staying in the bush. Oloyede and the Air Marshal, thank you, but we must remain alert. DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels and give us actionable intelligence.”
The Yelwata attack, carried out by gunmen suspected to be armed herders, resulted in the deaths of dozens and displaced thousands of residents in the agrarian community. The tragedy reignited calls for urgent and sustained government action to tackle the deteriorating security situation in the North-Central region.
Earlier on Sunday, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, confirmed that several suspects linked to the Yelwata killings had been arrested.
However, their identities were not disclosed at the time.
