Police Arrest Three Over Robbery, Cult Activities in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on criminal activity, arresting three suspects in separate operations linked to robbery and cult-related activities across the state.

The arrests come just days after four suspected cultists were detained in Gboko Local Government Area following a violent clash that reportedly led to the deaths of two individuals.

The latest development was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet.

Arrest in Vandeikya LGA

According to the police, two of the suspects were arrested on Monday in Vandeikya Local Government Area while allegedly attempting to dispossess residents of their belongings.

DSP Edet explained that the Divisional Police Officer of Vandeikya Division acted on credible intelligence received earlier in the day.

“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 said.

A prompt response by officers led to the arrest of two suspects during the operation.

“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,” Edet added.

Separate cult-related arrest in Guma

In a related operation the same day, police arrested another suspect in Guma Local Government Area following intelligence reports of a planned attack.

“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 read.

While several suspects reportedly fled the scene, one individual was apprehended.

“During the operation, Mnyam Ternenge, 21, of Udei, Guma Local Government Area, was arrested, while other suspects managed to escape,” the police said.

Items recovered

During the operations, officers recovered several items believed to be linked to criminal activity, including:

• A cutlass

• A dagger

• Hard drugs

• A locally manufactured revolver pistol

• A jack knife

According to preliminary investigations, the arrested cult suspect allegedly confessed to being a member of the MBS cult group.

Investigation and police response

DSP Edet confirmed that investigations into the cases have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi for further action.

He added that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the suspects who escaped during the operations.

The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Emenari Ifeanyi, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to tackling cultism and robbery across the state.

He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support security operations.