Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday announced the arrest of 28 individuals believed to be involved in the recent killings in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where 47 people were killed.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the IGP revealed that the arrests were part of a wider operation aimed at apprehending all perpetrators of the deadly assault.
“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,” President Bola Tinubu had challenged security chiefs during a visit to Benue last Wednesday.
Responding to that directive, Egbetokun confirmed that police efforts were yielding results and said more suspects were still being tracked.
“We are not overwhelmed,” he assured. “We are mopping up light and small weapons illegally acquired by some persons.”
The police chief added that officers were stepping up border patrol operations to reduce the influx of irregular migrants and prevent further violence.
In addition to the Yelwata suspects, the IGP said 22 individuals had been arrested in Jos in connection with the brutal killing of nine travelers who were en route to a wedding in Quanpan.
“Out of the 28 arrested persons, 2 have been cleared as they were only used as bait to arrest the 26 suspected masterminds,” Egbetokun clarified.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, had also confirmed the arrests earlier, though without disclosing the suspects’ identities.
The renewed efforts follow President Tinubu’s direct orders to security agencies to intensify action against those behind the Yelwata killings.
“Christopher (the Chief of Defence Staff), you have given much. I watch your comments, you can’t be tired of staying in the bush. Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground, let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out. DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again,” Tinubu urged during his visit.
The massacre, allegedly carried out by suspected herders, left dozens dead and displaced thousands in the agrarian region, prompting widespread outrage and demands for swift justice.
