By Abigail Philip David
The Benue State Police Command has raised concerns over the increasing cases of elderly individuals being killed on allegations of witchcraft and the widespread activities of cult groups in the state.
Commissioner of Police Hassan Yabaner highlighted these issues on Monday in a statement issued in Makurdi, where he reviewed the command’s achievements in 2024. He identified cultism and witchcraft-related killings as the most prevalent crimes in the past year.
Providing a breakdown of crime statistics from April 2024 to date, Yabaner revealed that:
– 273 suspects were arrested for capital offenses,
– 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition were recovered,
– 250 suspects have been charged to court.
He stated, “Cultism remains one of the major challenges in the state, and the command is relentlessly combating it. Seven suspected cultists have been arrested recently in North Bank, Daudu, and Otukpo areas.”
Among those arrested are Donald Aguma, Tyoshar Aondoaseer, and Tsena Joseph of Daudu, Benjamin Andrew Augustine of Otukpo, and three others from Wadata, Makurdi. A locally fabricated pistol was also recovered during the arrests.
The CP expressed deep concern over incidents where young people take the law into their own hands, particularly targeting the elderly with allegations of witchcraft.
Citing a recent case, Yabaner narrated the killing of an aged woman on Christmas Eve in Egba village, Agatu Local Government Area. “On December 24, 2024, around 7:00 PM, information reached us about the murder of an elderly woman accused of witchcraft. Investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, Bako Above, 50, and Oyaje Clement, 40, in connection with the incident,” he said.
Yabaner commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his unwavering support and expressed gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for his leadership and backing of the command.
