IGP Announces Arrest of 28 over Yelwata Killings
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has confirmed the arrest of 28 people suspected of masterminding the killings in Yelwata, Benue State.
Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the IGP stated that police were on the trail of additional suspects involved in the Yelwata killings, which resulted in the deaths of 47 individuals.
He informed Nigerians that the police are not overwhelmed as they seize light and tiny weapons illegally obtained by some individuals.
Egbetokun also stated that the police are increasing border patrols in order to reduce the number of irregular migrants entering the nation.
The IGP further stated that the apprehended suspects, including the 22 who were nabbed in Jos for the heinous murder of nine people on their way to Quanpan for a wedding, will be charged in court shortly.
The IGP emphasised that two of the 28 arrested individuals have been released since they were just utilised as bait to apprehend the 26 suspected masterminds.
On Sunday, Benue State’s joint security services reported the arrest of suspects linked to the Yelwata attack.
Emenari Ifeanyi, Commissioner of Police in Benue State, made the statement at a press event but did not reveal the suspects’ identities.
The reported arrests came after President Bola Tinubu ordered on Wednesday that service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) apprehend those responsible for the heinous crime.
“Police, I hope your personnel are alert and listening for information. How come no arrests have been made? “I expect those criminals to be arrested,” Tinubu charged the IGP during his visit to Benue last Wednesday.
“Christopher (the Chief of Defence Staff), you have contributed significantly. I’m watching your comments; you can’t be bored of remaining in the bush. Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank you all, but we need to keep our ears on the ground; let’s get those crooks out. DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels and provide tangible intelligence so that this does not happen again.
Last week, gunmen suspected of being herders assaulted the Yelwata village in the Guma Local Government Area of the food-producing state, killing many people and displacing thousands.