……Suspects arrested as Police hunt gang Leader ‘ODINAKA’

Police in Benue State have confirmed six people dead and one hospitalized after armed men stormed a residence on Aliade Street, High Level, Makurdi, in the early hours of Monday.

The PPRO DSP Udeme Edet told Crime Reporters that at about 0230hrs, a landlord made a distress call reporting that the gunmen dragged several young men out of their rooms and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

Detectives who arrived at the scene said preliminary investigations point to a cult-related killing carried out by a gang allegedly led by one “Odinaka,” a suspect police describe as notorious for similar attacks in the area.

Eleven suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incident, while security operatives continue a manhunt for Odinaka and other fleeing gang members.

One of the victims is currently receiving treatment at a medical facility. The police said a full press statement with further details will be released soon as investigations continue.

The attack is the latest in a string of cult violence plaguing parts of in Benue state raising fresh concerns over safety in residential neighborhoods.

At least 10 people were killed and several others injured when suspected bandits ambushed a convoy along the Gusau–Magami–Dansadau Road in Zamfara State on Monday.

An unspecified number of persons were also abducted during the attack.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred between 4pm and 5pm as vigilante operatives were escorting residents home in a convoy. The attackers suddenly opened fire on the vehicles.

Among those killed were five traders, three local hunters, and a member of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG).

The injured victims were rushed to Magami General Hospital for immediate treatment. They were scheduled to be referred to Gusau for further care, but as of the time of this report, they remained at the Magami facility due to the lack of a security escort.

A 37-year-old man, Isah Usman of Angwan Biri, who sells honey in the Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, has been arrested by the police for forcefully having unnatural carnal knowledge of young boys aged 13, 14 and 15 severally in his room.

The incident, which occurred on 23rd April at about 3:30 p.m., was reported to the Bosso Division, where the suspect lured the minors with 500 naira each and some honey as an inducement to commit the act with them.

Confirming the development, spokesman of the police, Superintendent Wasi’u Abiodun, in a statement said the victims were taken to Police Clinic, Minna, for a medical examination, which confirmed the allegation and indicated penetration, while the suspect also confessed to the act.

The suspect, according to the police, has been transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation, after which he will be charged to court for prosecution.

Similarly, on the 28th April at about 5:45 p.m.m, Abiodun said a report was received at GRA Division that on the same date at about 4p.m, a 14-year-old boy was seen spending money lavishly and when questioned by his Boss, who is a mechanic.

The teenager, upon interrogation, revealed that another 16-year-old usually gives him between two thousand and two thousand five hundred naira after performing unnatural sexual acts with him in an uncompleted building around Tayi village.

The suspect was said to have been immediately arrested, and an investigation is ongoing to identify other victims and possible accomplices for investigation and prosecution for unnatural offences.

The police therefore advised Parents/Guardians to monitor and protect their wards against such unnatural offences to prevent the health implications for the victims.