Nigerian Police have named suspects in the Plateau and Benue killings. No fewer than 84 people were killed when suspected herdsmen attacked villages in three local government areas of Plateau State.
There has been consistent killings in parts of Benue State, also by gunmen believed to be herdsmen.
Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood named some of the suspects in custody over the Plateau killings as: Biliaminu Abdullahi, Samaila Saleh, Muhammadu Kabiru, Aminu Mohammed, Alhassan Saidu, Abubakar Adam, Gazali Isah, Hamza Inusa Yahuza Yau, Dahiru Ahmed and Friday Musa.
According to the police, they were withholding names of two suspects.
Exhibits allegedly recovered from them include five AK47 rifles and two live cartridges.
Speaking in Abuja yesterday, Moshood said the relocation of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of operations and others had yielded results.
The police spokesman said security had improved in the communities in Plateau state.
He said four suspected bandits have also been arrested in Benue State.
The suspects, according to Moshood, are: “Benajamin Tivfa, 32, a councillor in Fidi Council Ward, Makurdi Local Government Area, Victor Ganabe, Daniel Kyase, 33, member of Benue Livestock Guards and Julius Avaan 49.
Others are, Terkula Udeh 37, Sunday Cheche, 34 and Alhaji Adajo Tomza, 28, member of Benue Livestock Guards and Msugh Teraki, 23, member, Benue Livestock Guards.”
Moshood added that items recovered from them include two AK 47 rifles, a locally made pistol and 436 rounds of AK 47 ammunition.
The suspects were arrested on June 27 by members of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
The police spokesman said that six of the suspects were arrested in a hotel in Naka village.
Moshood said the suspects confessed that the councillor was a member of their gang and was responsible for the supply of arms and ammunition as well as money to finance their operations.