The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected kidnap kingpin, Yusuf Muhamed, popularly known as “OC Torture,” in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state. Twenty-one other suspects linked to abduction cases in the area were also taken into custody.
Muhamed, who is physically challenged, was tracked over several days before he was eventually captured in a coordinated security operation. Some of his former victims, who alleged they were tortured while in his custody, reportedly identified him and assisted the police in locating him.
Orokam community has in recent weeks witnessed an upsurge in kidnappings and violent attacks. One of the incidents, which drew widespread outrage, was the killing of a mother and her visiting son during a failed kidnap attempt. The incident led to protests by residents and prompted the Ogbadibo Local Government chairman, Sunday Ajunwa, to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew two weeks ago.
Ajunwa, while confirming the arrest, commended the synergy between security agencies and locals.
“The Commissioner of Police deployed a Tactical Team, the Mobile Police Squad, alongside personnel of Civil Protection Guards who went in to comb Orokam and its environs. Their operation yielded the positive result we are celebrating today.
It goes to show that with the cooperation of locals, the police and other security agencies can achieve set targets which would help check incidents of crime in the society,” he stated.
The council chairman added that Muhamed was captured while attempting to escape. “It is true that Yusuf has been arrested by the combined team of police from Makurdi and Enugu as well as the vigilante in the area. He attempted to run, but the youths pursued and caught him. Those he kidnapped made confessional statements of how he tortured them in captivity. He is now in police custody along with 21 others.
“The security situation in Orokam is stable, though the curfew from 6pm to 6am is still in force, but I am thinking of lifting it after meeting with security agencies and stakeholders,” he said.
