TheCable

The Nigeria police force has arrested eight more suspects in connection with the recent killings in Benue state.

Jimoh Moshood, police spokesman, identified one of the suspects arrested as Benjamin Tivfa, a serving councillor of Fidi ward in the state.

Many have been killed in Benue this year alone.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Moshood said the councillor admitted to have supplied arms and ammunition to some bandits for their criminal activities.

The police spokesman listed other arrested suspects as: Victor Ganabe (a native of Naka), Daniel Kyase (Mbaku), Adajo Tomza (Tse Egbe), Msugh Sengv (Naikpe).

Others are Julius Avaan (Ikpayongu), Terkula Udeh (Gwer West), Sunday Cheche (Guma).

He said the suspects, arrested June 27, admitted to being members of Benue state livestock guards.

“The bandits confessed that the councillor is a member of their gang and responsible for supply of arms and ammunition including money to finance their operations,” he said.

“The councillor admitted to have bought 15 rounds of AK47 ammunition from the last suspect, Sunday Cheche and also confessed to have provided money to finance the operations of the gang.

“The bandits admitted to have carried out several killings and armed robbery attacks on innocent people in different locations in Benue state.”

He said investigation is in progress to arrest other “members of the bandits at large”, and they will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

Other suspects have previously been arrested by both the army and the police regarding killings in the state.