Election: Police deny arresting innocent citizens in Benue

The Benue Police Command on Tuesday denied arresting innocent citizens ahead of the March 28 and April 11 elections.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Austin Ezeani, made the denial in an interview with our reporter in Makurdi.

The spokesman, who was responding to complaints by residents over alleged arbitrary arrest by the police, said the raid was targeted at criminals and not to victimise anybody.

According to him, the raid is based on privileged information and innocent persons would be released after thorough screening.

“The operations has yielded positive results as the police have recovered arms and illicit drugs, especially cannabis sativa, charms and stolen vehicles”.

He expressed concern on the recent attacks on police posts at Tse Azande in Ushongo Local Government, and that of Ihugh in Vandeikya Local Government, which led to the deaths of two policemen.

Ezeani appealed to the public to assist the police in identifying criminal hideouts in the state, saying that the operation would continue.

He also called on the media to support the police in its quest to make the state safe for all residents.