The Benue State Police Command has arrested three individuals in connection with robbery and cult-related activities, days after four suspected cultists were apprehended in Gboko Local Government Area during a clash that left two members dead.
The State Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Tuesday.
According to DSP Edet, two suspects were apprehended on Monday, January 5, in Vandeikya Local Government Area while allegedly attempting to rob members of the public.
“On the 5th of January 2026 at about 1430hrs, the Divisional Police Officer, Vandeikya Division, received credible information that some hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers were sighted within the area, allegedly in possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons,” the statement read.
“During the operation, two suspects, namely, Dominic Terkaa Peter, 30, and Sunday Tarvihi, 31, both of Ako-Fate, Ute, Vandeikya Local Government Area, were arrested.”
On the same day, a suspected cultist was arrested in Guma Local Government Area.
“In a related development at about 1520hrs, the Divisional Police Officer, Yelwata Division, received actionable intelligence that suspected cult members were planning to attack rival groups and unsuspecting members of the public in Udei area of Guma LGA,” the statement said.
“During the operation, Mnyam Ternenge, 21, of Udei, Guma Local Government Area, was arrested, while other suspects managed to escape,” the statement added.
Recovered items from the two operations included a cutlass, a knife, hard drugs, a locally fabricated revolver pistol, and a jack knife. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspected cultist admitted to being a member of the MBS cult group.
DSP Edet said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, with further investigations being conducted by the State CID in Makurdi.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Emenari Ifeanyi, assured residents that the Command remains committed to eliminating cultism and all forms of criminality across the state. He urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support effective policing.
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