Anti-Open Grazing Law: 188 Suspects Under Trial In Benue…Police
Loading ...From Msughshima Andrew, Makurdi
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, CP Fatai Owoseni said a total of 188 supects are undergoing trial in the state for contravening the Anti Open Grazing Law.
The Commissioner who stated this while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters, in Makurdi, on the activities of the Command in the last one month said the 188 suspects include the 24 suspects arrested in the last one month and wit others previously arrested.
He said the suspects are being arraigned by the police in conjunction with the office of the Attorney General of the State and the Commissioner for Justice.
He also said the command also arrested a total of 61 suspects who are currently undergoing trial for cases of culpable homicide, mischief by fire occassioned by attacks by armed insurgents associated with herdsmen.
According to him, the command has continued to work effectively in conjunction with other sister security agencies which has led to the arrest of 30 armed robbery suspects as well as 30 different types of prohibited fire arms which includes 23 locally made pistols ingeniously fabricated to fire AK47 amunitions, three AK49 rifles, fourAK47, and 30 rounds of live ammunition.
Owoseni who noted that the command has recorded tremedeous success in fighting crimes in the State enthused that there is a gradual reduction in crimes, cases of cattle rustling, ethnic motivated attacks which has encouraged the return of Internally displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes.
He however regretted fresh attacks on some communities by suspected herdsmen in Ado, Katsina Ala and Kwande Local Government Areas
He also said concerted efforts are being put in place to halt reported robbery cases around Zaki Biam, Katsina Ala and Kwande which he attributed to the criminal activities of Ghana; a dangerous Militia gang leader who has been long declared wanted.
Speaking on cult cases, CP Owoseni said the command recorded a fight between two cult groups on the outskirt of Otukpo. “With the help of the Local Government Chairman, 19 persons were arrested. Seven persons were positively identified while 12 were in complicity in one way or the other. On the whole about 30 persons were arrested on cult related charges,” he said
