Benue police arrest 60-year-old over alleged child defilement
The Benue State Police Command has arrested a 60-year-old man over the alleged defilement of a 10-year-old girl in Igumale, Ado Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the command’s security operations and achievements in October 2026.
Nkereuwem Effiong
The Benue State Police Command has arrested a 60-year-old man over the alleged defilement of a 10-year-old girl in Igumale, Ado Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the command’s security operations and achievements in October 2026.
He said the incident was reported on 13 October, prompting the suspect’s arrest, while the victim was taken for medical examination and treatment.
“The investigation is ongoing, and the command will ensure that the matter is handled in accordance with the law, with the privacy and welfare of the victim protected,” Nwadiogbu said.
The commissioner also disclosed that the command rescued 29 kidnapped victims during the period under review through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies and community-based security groups.
Among those rescued were four passengers abducted when gunmen attacked a commercial vehicle along the Uzer axis of the Ayilamo-Tse-Abi Road in Logo LGA on 5 October. They were freed during a joint operation involving the police, Operation Whirl Stroke, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local hunters.
Nwadiogbu said 17 farmers abducted from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in Bamun Village, Tombo District, Logo LGA, were rescued on 7 October.
Eight other victims, including a Catholic priest, were rescued in Ohimini LGA after they were abducted along the Ugbokolo-Ajegbe-Awume Road on 13 October.
The command also arrested 34 foreign nationals during separate operations. They comprised 16 Cameroonians apprehended in Otukpo LGA on 9 October and 18 Nigeriens intercepted at Orokam on 22 October.
The police commissioner said investigations were ongoing to establish their immigration status and the circumstances surrounding their movements.
He added that the command had arrested suspects in separate operations targeting cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other violent crimes. Seven locally made firearms and 16 rounds of ammunition and cartridges were recovered during the period.
Nwadiogbu further disclosed that a suspected bandit was neutralised on 2 October during an encounter with personnel of the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force along Amaafu-Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala LGA. A locally made firearm was also recovered.
The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation was essential to preventing crime and protecting lives and property.
He thanked the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for his support in strengthening policing operations and commended Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for supporting the command’s efforts to maintain peace and security.
He also acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies, community leaders, local vigilantes and members of the public to maintaining law and order in the state.
