The Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the police command in Plateau has arrested six suspects for alleged cattle rustling, criminal conspiracy and illegal firearm possession.
The suspects were paraded during the inauguration of the VCRU in Jos on Friday.
The Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, said the unit was established following directives of the former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Mr Ewah said the initiative also aligned with the police mandate to protect lives and property across Plateau State.
“This fulfils the I-G’s directive for a force that is professional, humane, accountable and effective.
“This unit answers growing demands for faster, more precise and professional responses to violent crime,” he said.
Mr Ewah said the VCRU would operate under a Civilian Oversight Board comprising traditional rulers, civil society groups, lawyers and human rights advocates.
He said officers underwent intensive screening, selection and specialised training before deployment.
“Every officer selected has been prepared for operational excellence, disciplined conduct and unwavering respect for human rights.
“Their mandate is to confront violent crimes referred to them by the command for further investigation.
“We are equipping them to act with speed, precision and integrity because justice delayed and justice abused are both justice denied.
“Impunity, misconduct and abuse of power will not be tolerated under my watch,” Ewah said.
One suspect, Yahuza Sale, was arrested over a viral Facebook video allegedly capable of inciting fear and public unrest.
Police said detectives from the Pankshin Division arrested Mr Sale immediately after receiving intelligence reports.
According to police findings, Mr Sale confessed involvement in cattle rustling alongside Victor Danladi, also known as Boka.
Mr Sale reportedly told investigators they used locally made AK-47 rifles and revolvers during operations.
The Intelligence Response Team later arrested Danladi following Mr Sale’s confession.
Police recovered two locally made AK-47 rifles, three rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and one locally made pump-action gun.
Mr Ewah said investigations were ongoing and suspects would be charged after their completion.
“Under my leadership, the Plateau Police Command remains committed to proactive, intelligence-driven policing and community partnership,” he said.
He urged residents to support police efforts with timely and credible information.
“The police cannot succeed alone. Provide credible information and we will act swiftly to protect you.
“The VCRU is your unit. Its success depends on trust and cooperation between the police and the community,” he said.
Mr Ewah added that the unit had a fully equipped operational base in Jos, with plans for additional sub-units across the state.
The Defence Headquarters says the Armed Forces of Nigeria has sustained an unrelenting multi-layered campaign of coordinated land, air and maritime operations across all geo-political zones.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said this on Thursday in Abuja, at the Joint Security Press Briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Uba said under the strategic leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, troops executed 588 distinct security operations in September and October.
He said troops neutralised 435 terrorists and bandits, including high-profile commanders like Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore and Abdussamad Ohida.
He also said that troops arrested 809 suspects, secured the voluntary surrender of 198 insurgents and successfully liberated 717 kidnapped victims and captives.
Uba listed the rescued victims to include 20 prospective NYSC members in Owerri, Imo, and 11 individuals in Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi.
According to him, troops recorded major tactical breakthroughs in Buniyadi, Baga, Kukawa, Bittai and the Owo forest, which severely fractured enemy networks.
He added that to dismantle their war-making capacity, troops recovered 5,666 arms, ammunition, explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices, alongside vital logistical assets.
He said that in the Niger Delta, economic protection operations destroyed 57 illegal refining sites and recovered over 1,061,000 litres of stolen petroleum products thereby directly boosting national crude production.
The defence spokesman said while security hotspots persist in Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Katsina, Kwara, Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Oyo and Kaduna States, forces continue to adapt through aggressive synergy clearance patrols and deep inter-agency.
He also said that beyond tactical theatres, the DHQ championed indigenous defence manufacturing and technology transfer at Africa International Defence Exhibition 2026.
He further said that the DHQ also convened high-level regional forums to reposition the Multinational Joint Task Force in Lake Chad basin and prioritised personnel welfare through veteran engagement tours and launch of Defence Discount Shop in partnership with Konga and Zinox.(NAN)
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has inaugurated the Tinubu/Alia 2027 Campaign Council as the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue begins preparations for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Alia in the 2027 general elections.
Alia said Nigeria and Benue State had no reason to look elsewhere, insisting that he was steadily delivering on his promises while President Tinubu was also making progress and providing relentless support to the state to regain its lost glory.
The Tinubu/Alia Campaign Council, which has Hon Citizen Richard Asema as Director-General, was inaugurated by the governor at IBB Square on Thursday. The event was followed by the commissioning of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Office at Wurukum, Makurdi.
Speaking during the occasion, Governor Alia charged members of the council to demonstrate unity, commitment and dedication, describing their appointments as a reflection of the confidence reposed in them by the party leadership and the people of Benue State.
The governor also urged party members in the state to put aside personal grievances, embrace reconciliation and work collectively towards securing victory for the APC in the forthcoming elections.
He described the Director-General, Citizen Asema, as an experienced political leader with the capacity to coordinate the campaign and deliver the desired result.
Highlighting his achievements in office, Governor Alia attributed the successes recorded by his administration in security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and industrialisation to the cooperation and support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government.
He particularly acknowledged federal interventions that had strengthened security operations and supported efforts to restore peace to previously troubled communities in the state.
The governor also listed the recruitment of 9,700 primary school teachers, improvements in public school infrastructure, regular payment of salaries and pensions, road construction and the establishment of agricultural processing facilities among the achievements of his administration.
He noted that the partnership between the state and the federal government had contributed significantly to these developments.
On infrastructure, the governor disclosed that efforts to connect all 23 local government areas of the state through road networks were nearing completion, with approximately 25 per cent of the work remaining.
He also cited the revival and completion of previously abandoned projects, including Taraku Mills, the International Conference Centre at IBB Square and the Cancer Centre at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, as evidence of his administration's commitment to continuity.
He promised that, if re-elected, he would concentrate on consolidating existing achievements rather than starting new projects from scratch.
According to the governor, his administration remained committed to implementing its development blueprint since assuming office in 2023 and would focus on sustaining ongoing initiatives, strengthening completed projects and ensuring that public investments delivered lasting benefits if re-elected in 2027.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor further stated that industrialisation, agriculture and strategic investments in education, healthcare and commerce would remain central to his administration's determination to break the cycle of poverty and expand economic opportunities for the people.
He expressed confidence that Benue's enormous agricultural potential, coupled with its emerging oil and gas prospects, could provide the state with the resources needed to build a stronger economy and generate substantial internal revenue, thereby reducing its dependence on federal allocations.