*11 Herdsmen Remanded In Benue Over Alleged Terrorism, Others
By our reporter
Apparently aware of reports of police brutality on many citizens across the country, President Bola Tinubu has sounded a clear and direct warning to police officers: Do not intimidate or abuse the masses you are paid to protect.
The presidential order came as a Makurdi Chief Magistrate’s court on Benue State today remanded 11 herdsmen in a correctional facility for allegedly terrorizing communities in the State.
Scores of people have been killed, many more displaced and forced to become internal refugees in their fatherland and others injured following series of recent attacks by armed terrorists on communities in the state –with prominent leaders such as the Tortiv, His Royal Majesty Professor James Ayatse crying out over the heinous acts.
Handing down the order while speaking during the 2nd Annual IGP’s Award and Commendation Ceremony in Abuja,the Nigeria capital, on Wednesday night, June 4, President Tinubu warned police officers to rather uphold the rule of law and reject all forms of misconduct.
He was represented by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
In words likely to elicit applause from the average Nigerian, the President said: “Be reminded that the power you wield is not for intimidation but for protection. It is not for abuse but for service. You must be guided by the highest standards of accountability and professionalism.
“Uphold the rule of law, protect the rights of every citizen, and reject all forms of misconduct and corruption. Only then can we build a police force that is truly respected and trusted by the people it serves.”
Asserting that Federal Government (FG) would continue to play its part, Tinubu further warned all cops, irrespective of rank or posting, to uphold what he described as the sacred trust bestowed upon them by Nigerians
According to him, FG will not relent in investing in providing cutting-edge equipment, technological support, capacity-building programmes, and welfare schemes to boost operational efficiency and morale in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
His words: “This administration remains steadfast in its commitment to the transformation of the Nigeria Police Force. We understand that modern policing demands modern tools, continuous training, intelligence-led strategies, and community partnership.
“To our award recipients tonight, I congratulate you warmly. You have made the nation proud. You have reminded us of what is possible when duty meets dedication and when service is driven by honour.
“But I urge you, do not rest on your laurels. Let this recognition spur you to even greater heights. Let your example inspire others within the Force to emulate your discipline, your hard work, your professionalism, and your integrity.”
In a related development, the Makurdi Court ordered the 11 herdsmen sent to Makurdi Correctional Centre, in the State capital.
The suspects/defendants were Nanzir Ishaya, Suleiman Umaru, Yakubu Mallam, Dauda Abdulkarim, Manu Buhari, and Haruna Abdulkarim.
The rest were Ibrahim Mallam, Yunusa Waziri, Idi Usman, Adamu Manu and Abdullahi Wakili.
They gave various addresses in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area (LGA) of the state as their places of abode/operation.
The 11 were charged with criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, acts of terrorism, open grazing and being in possession of cattle suspected to be stolen.
Chief Magistrate, Kelvin Mbanongun, did not take their pleas,saying his court lacked jurisdiction in the matter and adjourned the case till July 7, 2025, for further mention.
However, earlier, Police prosecutor Godwin Ato had informed the court that on June 1, a police team attached to Operation Zenda at Katsina-Ala had received credible information that a group of armed bandits alleged to be associates of a dreaded bandit leader, one Amakaa Akwaza, was spotted,armed, in a hideout at Nugu village.
Ato, an inspector, narrated further that on receiving the information, a combined team of Operation Zenda and Benue State Civil Protection Guards, headed by another Inspector, Donald Ahulu, mobilised to the location and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel.
According to him, in the process, the security team overpowered the suspected bandits, leading to some of the latter taking to their heels even as one AK-47 rifle bearing breech number 6189 and 16 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the battle scene.
Ato said further success was recorded in the general operation as 10 of the suspects were arrested as they loaded cattle, suspected to be stolen, into a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number TTM 405 XA Taraba, and also as they openly grazed some of the cows on a nearby farm.
The prosecutor added that further investigation led to the arrest of the chief of the Fulani community in Katsina-Ala, one Wakili, who, he alleged, had been interacting with Akwaza to supply arms to herdsmen terrorising the state and environs.
Their alleged offences, Ato said, contravened Sections 6(b) and 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004; 19 of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue, 2017; and 321 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.