A joint operation by police operatives from the Benue and Enugu State Commands has led to the arrest of a notorious kidnap kingpin, Yusuf Muhammed, along with 21 suspected accomplices in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
Muhammed, feared by his victims and infamously nicknamed “OC Torture,” was tracked down after days of intelligence gathering and surveillance by security forces. According to security sources, survivors of his captivity positively identified him, helping operatives trace his hideouts.
The arrest follows a spike in kidnapping incidents across Ogbadibo, including the killing of a woman and her visiting son during a botched abduction. The surge in criminal activities prompted Ogbadibo LGA Chairman, Sunday Ajunwa, to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Orokam two weeks ago, after angry residents staged protests over worsening insecurity.
A security source, who spoke to our correspondent, confirmed the operation’s success, saying the breakthrough was achieved through a coordinated effort by tactical police teams, mobile squad units, Civil Protection Guards, and local vigilantes.
“The Commissioner of Police deployed a tactical team to comb Orokam and its environs. Their efforts paid off with Yusuf’s arrest. This is proof that community cooperation is key to tackling insecurity,” the source said.
The source added that Muhammed attempted to escape arrest but was pursued and captured by local youths. Several kidnap victims have since testified against him, recounting how he tortured them while in captivity.
Ajunwa also confirmed the arrest and noted that the situation in Orokam has since calmed, though the 6 pm to 6 am curfew remains in force.
“Yusuf is a Fulani man. Security is stable now, but I will only consider lifting the curfew after consulting security agencies and community stakeholders,” the chairman stated.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, said she had not yet received a formal report of the arrests.
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“The officer in Orokam is expected to send us an official report for confirmation. As of now, I have not received any information,” she said.
The arrests mark a significant breakthrough for law enforcement as Benue State grapples with rising insecurity and growing concerns over kidnapping rings operating along its borders.
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