The Benue State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old suspected arms supplier to bandits, identified as Joro Jarkata, as part of proactive security operation aimed at curbing the movement of illegal arms and criminal elements.
The police command held that it’s operatives, during a stop-and-search operation in the ,Guma Local Government Area of the state after which it the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Guma Police Division.
According to the security agency’s statement sued on Friday and made available to journalists in Makurdi, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondona, identified the arrested suspect as Joro Jarkata, a native of Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Aondona disclosed that a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of 115 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his possession.
“Upon sighting the police, one of the occupants alighted from the motorcycle and fled into a nearby bush. The remaining suspect, identified as Joro Jarkata, a 20-year-old male from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, was apprehended.
A search conducted on him led to the recovery of one hundred and fifteen (115) rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his possession,” the statement said.
The police spokesperson said the suspect is currently in custody, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi, for a discreet and comprehensive investigation.
He added that investigators are working to identify and arrest the fleeing accomplice, as well as determine the source of the recovered ammunition, its intended destination, and the circumstances surrounding its transportation.
“The suspect remains in police custody while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi, for discreet investigation. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice and unravel the source, intended destination, and circumstances surrounding the conveyance of the ammunition,” Aondona stated.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the officers involved in the operation for their vigilance, professionalism, and swift response, noting that their actions prevented the illegal ammunition from reaching criminal elements.
Nwadiogbu reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating the proliferation of illegal firearms and ammunition across the state, stressing that the police would continue to intensify intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and improving public safety.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious persons, movements, or activities to the nearest police formation, assuring that credible information from the public remains vital in the fight against insecurity in Benue State.