Mob lynch suspects as Police bust Makurdi criminal hideout, six children rescued from suspected traffickers

By James Ike

The Benue State Police Command has uncovered a major criminal hideout in Makurdi and, in a separate operation, rescued six children from suspected traffickers along the Orokam–Enugu road.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said the first operation followed a distress call received at about 6:30pm on Thursday, after a stolen Bajaj motorcycle was tracked to a compound along George Akume Way in Makurdi.

Police patrol teams reportedly arrived to find a large crowd gathered around the premises. Upon gaining entry, DSP Edet said officers made a startling discovery.

“The officers discovered 11 suspected stolen motorcycles, 47 motorcycle seats, fuel tanks, three mattresses, criminal charms, a single-barrel firearm, and other incriminating items,” she stated.

However, the situation took a violent turn when two suspects who attempted to flee were intercepted and lynched by members of the public near the BIPC office before police could intervene.

DSP Edet said the suspects were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Wadata, where they were confirmed dead by a doctor and later deposited in the mortuary.

She added that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) had taken over the case.

Six children rescued from suspected traffickers

In a separate operation same day, police operatives conducting patrols along the Orokam-Enugu Road intercepted a suspicious vehicle at about 5:05pm

Inside were three women including; Mrs Monica Okonkwo, Nkiru Nwosu, and Oyechele Francisca, all from Umude Oka Dunukofia in Anambra State, who were transporting six children between the ages of seven and nine.

The children were identified as:

Amanda Chukwujekwu (8),

Chioma Maduagwu (8),

Oyechegi Kosisochukwu (9),

Okonkwo Odinaka Chukwu (9),

Arinze Chukwu (7), and

Esther Oluchukwu (9).


DSP Edet disclosed that preliminary investigations raised serious concerns.

“The children were taken from Divine Peace and Grace Orphanage in Jos, Plateau State, under questionable circumstances. The suspects claimed they were transporting them to Anambra State,”
she said.

The children have since been placed under protective care, while the three women remain in police custody as investigations by the State CID continue.

CP condemns lynching, warns against mob justice

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, condemned the mob action that resulted in the deaths of the two suspects in Makurdi, describing it as dangerous, unlawful, and detrimental to justice.

> “Mob action obstructs justice, violates fundamental human rights, and sabotages police investigations,”
the Commissioner warned.

He urged members of the public to report suspected criminals and allow law enforcement agencies to handle such matters professionally rather than resorting to jungle justice.

Mr Emenari reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Benue State, assuring that updates on ongoing investigations would be communicated to the public.