Police operatives in Benue State have arrested a suspected notorious bandit believed to be behind several deadly attacks on security personnel in both Benue and Nasarawa states.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the suspect, Yongu Justine Makwagh, from Kadarko in Nasarawa State, was apprehended at about 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Balcony Park in Makurdi after months of sustained surveillance.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Daudu led the operation, acting on credible intelligence and supported by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on special duty.
According to one source, Makwagh has long been on the command’s wanted list due to his alleged involvement in a series of violent attacks in the Sankera axis.
“The suspect was earlier linked to the killing of two Safer Highway Police personnel at Yelwata and two operatives of the Department of Operations (DOPS) in Daudu, during which firearms were carted away,” the source said.
Police authorities described the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle bandit networks operating across Benue and neighbouring states.
They confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation.
Further investigations are underway to recover additional weapons and track down his accomplices.
Police arrest notorious bandit linked to killing of officers in Benue, Nasarawa
