Security forces have intensified clearance operations against criminal elements in Benue State, destroying bandits’ camps, recovering arms and ammunition, and arresting suspects with illicit drugs and police uniforms.

In Ukum Local Government Area, operatives drawn from the Ukum Divisional Police, Operation Zenda, Police Mobile Force (PMF), State Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Benue Civil Protection Guard stormed the Sankera axis at about 11 a.m. on Friday. The raid, which targeted suspected armed herders, led to the destruction of five bandits’ camps around Dyom and Asom Amadu following a fierce gun battle.

The criminals, who fled with gunshot wounds, abandoned one AK-47 rifle with breech number 309416 and five rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. A security source disclosed that the clearance operation was still ongoing with efforts to track down the fleeing suspects.

Similarly, in a separate operation in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, security operatives supported by Mobile Police 3, Enugu, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three suspects at about 1:20 a.m. on Friday.

One of the suspects, identified as Sunday Ejibo, 39, of Ejema village, Orokam, was found in possession of a locally fabricated pistol designed to use AK-47 ammunition, one 7.62mm round, as well as substances suspected to be methamphetamine (ice) and cannabis. Two others, Peter Kenneth, 35, and John Mathew, 36, both from Iru village in Orokam, were also arrested with a pair of Police Mobile Force uniform and suspected hard drugs.

Police sources confirmed that the suspects and exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

The coordinated operations, according to security sources, are part of renewed measures aimed at flushing out criminal gangs terrorising rural communities across Benue State.