By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has recovered stolen motorcycles and intercepted suspected child traffickers in two separate operations carried out in two Local Government Areas of the state.
Police Public Relations Officer PPRO DSP Udeme Edet said that the motorcycles were recovered in Makurdi while the human traffickers were arrested in Orokam community of Ogbadigbo LGA.
In a statement issued by Edet on Friday, the Command said officers responded to a distress call on November 20 after a stolen Bajaj motorcycle was tracked to a compound along George Akume Way.
Edet said that patrol teams arrived around 6:30pm to find a large crowd at the location.
“A search of the premises led to the recovery of 11 suspected stolen motorcycles, 47 motorcycle seats, fuel tanks, criminal charms, three mattresses, a single-barrel firearm and other exhibit,” she stated.
The PPRO noted further that two suspects found in the house where the motorcycles were kept who initially fled were apprehended by members of the public opposite the BIPC office on George Akume Way and lynched before the arrival of the police.
She added that they were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Wadata, where they were confirmed dead and their remains deposited in the mortuary, stressing that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has taken over the case.
In a separate operation the same day, around 5:05pm, Edet stated that police operatives on patrol along the Orokam–Enugu Road intercepted a vehicle conveying three women and six children under suspicious circumstances.
The suspects identified as Monica Okonkwo, 57; Nkiru Nwosu, 55; and Oyechele Francisca, 57, all from Umude Oka in Dunukofia, Anambra State were taken into custody.
She stated that the children rescued were Amanda Chukwujekwu, 8; Chioma Maduagwu, 8; Oyechegi Kosisochukwu, 9; Okonkwo Odinaka Chukwu, 9; Arinze Chukwu, 7; and Oluchukwu Esther, 9.
The PPRO explained that preliminary investigations indicated that the children were taken from Divine Peace and Grace Orphanage in Jos, Plateau State, under questionable conditions, noting that the women allegedly claimed they were transporting the children to Anambra State.
She said the children are now in protective care while further investigations continue at the State CID.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, condemned the mob action that led to the lynching of the two suspects in Makurdi, warning that such acts obstruct justice and undermine police investigations.
He urged residents to always hand over suspects to law enforcement authorities.
Emenari pledged to sustain efforts to protect lives and property across Benue State and said further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
Photos below shows charm and other items found in the house where the stolen motorcycles were recovered from in Makurdi
