The newly established Benue State Community Volunteer Guards have reportedly arrested five suspected Ambazonian fighters at Jato-Aka in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The suspects, who are aged between 25 and 42, are believed to have links with Boko Haram.

According to the Special Adviser to the Governor Samuel Ortom on Security, Lt Col Paul Hemba (retd), the five fighters who are also believed to be fighting the Republic of Cameroon for many years now were picked up at Jato Aka Round About, near Dzoho Aondofa drinking joint last Monday at about 3 pm.

“On 22nd August 2022 about 1500 hours at Jato Aka Roundabout, near DZOHO Aondofa Drinking Joint, Kwande LGA, BSCVG arrested Five (5) Ambazonian Fighters suspected to have had linked with not only Boko Haram but also Ambazonians fighting the Republic of Cameroon for years,” Col Hemba stated.

Hemba, in a chat with newsmen on Wednesday afternoon identified the suspects as Stanley Vincent, David Ajong, Ronado Njeke, Nelson Emmanuel Ngum and Tabel Samuel Obem.

The security adviser explained further that items suspected to be chemical weapons, military uniforms, charms and an undisclosed number of ammunition were recovered from the suspects at their hideouts at Agogo Hotel, Jato Aka where they had stayed for about six months before they were nabbed.

He said one of the suspects, Stanley Vincent had disguised as a personnel of the Nigerian Army serving in Ojo, Lagos State without any form of identity, a development that triggered suspicion against them.

Col. Hemba while also linking criminal activities in Kwande Local Government such as armed robbery and kidnapping in the last six months to the suspects said they have been handed over to the Police Division in Adikpo.

Efforts to get the Police to confirm the report failed as the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene did not pick up her call or respond to a WhatsApp message yet at the time of filing this report. (Daily Sun)

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