By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
The Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, has attributed the recent successes recorded by the Command in the fight against criminality to the support and strategic interventions of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu.
Nwadiogbu described the IGP as a hardworking and supportive police chief whose prompt response to requests from the Benue Command had significantly boosted its capacity to tackle insecurity in the state.
The Commissioner stated this on Monday while speaking with FirmNews on the Command’s efforts to combat insecurity and restore peace across Benue.
He particularly cited the recent deployment of professional police personnel to the state to tackle attacks on communities as one of the strategic interventions by the IGP that had helped to curtail the activities of criminal elements.
According to him, the security situation in Benue was highly challenging when he assumed office as Commissioner of Police, but sustained engagements with youths, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, coupled with the support of Governor Hyacinth Alia, had contributed significantly to the return of relative peace.
Nwadiogbu acknowledged the “unwavering support” of the governor to the Command, saying the assistance had enabled the police to effectively discharge their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
He urged residents to continue supporting the police by providing credible and timely intelligence that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending criminal elements.
The Commissioner said such cooperation remained critical to sustaining peace and ensuring that residents could go about their daily activities without fear.
Meanwhile, Nwadiogbu has clarified the circumstances surrounding the recent attack on a community in Ukum Local Government Area, dismissing reports that the incident was a herders’ attack.
He explained that the affected community allegedly harboured a suspected bandit identified as Matthew, who had reportedly travelled to Taraba State, where he killed some people and subsequently returned to hide in the Ukum community.
According to the Commissioner, youths from Taraba State, angered by the killings, traced the suspect to his hideout in Ukum.
Although the suspect was not apprehended, Nwadiogbu said three of his associates were killed during the confrontation.
The Commissioner condemned the action of the Taraba youths, describing it as illegal and an attempt to take the law into their own hands.
He urged communities facing security challenges to work with security agencies rather than resort to reprisals, stressing that lawful collaboration remained the best approach to finding lasting solutions to insecurity.
Nwadiogbu, however, reassured residents that the Command would continue to work with relevant stakeholders and deploy available resources to protect lives and property across the state.
