31-7-

By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

Operatives of the the Nigeria Police Force, Benue State Command have apprehended a 20-year-old Joto Jakata, from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, who is suspected to have been supplying arms and ammunition to terrorists.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, for the Commissioner of Police Benue State Command, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, indicates that the arrest  followed a proactive operation by operatives of the Police, Guma Division while conducting a stop-and-search operation.

According to the statement, a search conducted on the suspect led to the discovery of one hundred and fifteen (115) rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his possession. It added that the suspect is currently in police custody, maintaining that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for thorough investigation.

The statement added that efforts are ongoing to arrest the accomplice and unravel the source’s intended destination, and circumstances surrounding conveyance of the ammunition.

The Commissioner of Police Benue State Command CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, Lauds the resilience, professionalism and alertness of the operatives whose efforts led to the recovery. He reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to curbing proliferation of illegal firearms and ammunition, and dismantling  criminal networks threatening peace and security of the state.

An intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) has led to the elimination of three suspected bandits and rescue of nine of their victims during a fierce gun battle in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The victims, it was leant, included farmers seized from their farmlands and others who had earlier been abducted in neighbouring Ekiti State.

They regained their freedom after the kidnappers were forced to flee under heavy gunfire, abandoning their captives.

The operation, which also involved the Kwara State Forest Guards, local hunters and vigilantes, was carried out in the Obbo Aiyegunle, Ejiu Ora and Osi axis of Ekiti LGA bordering Ekiti and Kwara States.

Speaking on Wednesday, Chief Press Secretary to the chairman of Ekiti LGA Prince Dada Sunday, confirmed the operation to journalists.

He said intelligence gathered by security agencies led to the successful rescue mission.

According to the chairman, the kidnappers, numbering more than 10, had assembled victims abducted from different locations before they were overwhelmed by the security operatives.

He disclosed that one of the victims sustained serious head injuries after he was cut with a machete while resisting abduction.

One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo Aiyegunle, recounted their ordeal, saying armed men suddenly emerged and seized him and his son.

“They came from nowhere and pointed a gun to my head. Four of them took me and my son. They also took my friend’s motorcycle before marching us into the bush,” he recounted. Another rescued farmer, Ibrahim Danga, said the victims had been held captive before security operatives arrived and engaged the kidnappers.

A member of the Kwara Forest Guards, Owolabi Adebayo, confirmed that the operation was intelligence-driven.

“We neutralised three of them and rescued nine victims. They were heavily armed and possessed different types of firearms. We need more operational equipment, including body armour, binoculars, night vision goggles, walkie talkies and ammunition to effectively confront them,” he declared.

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has expressed confidence in the timely completion of the Lekki 7th Axial Road project following an inspection of ongoing works in the Lekki Corridor of Lagos.

The road, located behind the Dangote Refinery, is a major cargo evacuation route for the Lekki Deep Sea Port. It also links the Lekki industrial axis with the Sagamu corridor, making it a strategic project for port operations, industrial development and national logistics.

During the inspection, Umahi expressed confidence in China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), the project contractor, citing the company’s successful delivery of the Lekki Deep Sea Port as well as the quality of work observed on the ongoing Makurdi to Enugu road reconstruction and expansion project.

He instructed that the roadbed filling works for Project Lot One must be completed by the end of April, directing the project team to increase resource input and intensify tangible on site works to meet the deadline. He stressed the need for adequate deployment of manpower, equipment and materials to ensure steady progress.

The Minister noted that the 7th Axial Road is designed to work alongside other key infrastructure projects in the area, including the Coastal Road, Dangote Road and the Lekki Port. According to him, the project will improve cargo movement, reduce pressure on existing road networks and strengthen the Lekki corridor as a major transportation and industrial hub when completed.

Umahi also called for strict compliance with environmental and safety standards, urging relevant agencies to ensure that construction progresses steadily without compromising ecological protection.

The project contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, assured the Minister of its commitment to delivering the road on schedule. A representative of the company said resources have been scaled up on site, with strong emphasis on safety, quality control and environmental protection.

He added that the road, when completed, will play a key role in easing port congestion and unlocking significant economic benefits for Lagos and the country.