Police Nab Three in Benue Foiled Robbery Attempt, Intensifies Crackdown on Cultism
Security operations across parts of Benue State have led to the arrest of three suspects linked to robbery and cult-related activities, as the police intensify efforts to curb rising criminal threats in the state.
The latest arrests come barely days after four suspected cultists were earlier apprehended in Gboko Local Government Area following a violent clash that reportedly claimed the lives of two persons.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Benue State Police Command confirmed that two of the suspects were arrested in Vandeikya Local Government Area while allegedly attempting to rob residents.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, operatives from the Vandeikya Division acted on credible intelligence on January 5, 2026, after reports that armed hoodlums were sighted in the area with dangerous weapons.
The operation led to the arrest of Dominic Terkaa Peter, 30, and Sunday Tarvihi, 31, both from Ako-Fate, Ute community in Vandeikya LGA.
On the same day, police operatives in Guma Local Government Area also intercepted a suspected cultist during a separate intelligence-led operation.
DSP Edet explained that officers attached to the Yelwata Division received information that suspected cult members were mobilising to attack rival groups and unsuspecting residents in the Udei area of Guma LGA.
Acting swiftly, the police arrested one suspect, identified as 21-year-old Mnyam Ternenge of Udei, while other members of the group fled the scene.
Recovered items from both operations included a cutlass, a knife, hard drugs, a locally fabricated revolver pistol and a jack knife. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect arrested in Guma confessed to being a member of the MBS cult group.
The police spokesperson added that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while further investigations have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi.
Commending the operatives for their swift response, the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Emenari Ifeanyi, assured residents that the Command remains resolute in its fight against cultism, robbery and other forms of criminality.
He also called on members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, noting that community cooperation remains vital to effective crime prevention and security across the state.
