Troops Arrest Benue Monarch, Recover Fire Arms From Palace

The Nigerian military has arrested the district head of Mue Ter Cha in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Chief Utambe Adzer after they reportedly discovered arms and ammunition in his palace.

Naija News reports that the monarch was arrested by troops of a joint military operation codenamed, Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, on Saturday.

It was gathered that the troops also discovered other weapons at the palace of the district head of Lumbuv, Chief Teran Kwaghbo in the same axis and attempted to arrest him but he evaded arrest.

According to reports, OPWS troops acted on credible information to uncover the weapons in the palaces of the two chiefs.

“It was at about 10:30pm on Friday when we saw some soldiers moving towards the palace of Mue Ter Cha. Then the next moment, we saw that the military has arrested the Chief. We also saw them bringing out some arms which we heard were discovered in his house.

“They equally razed down the round hut located in the palace said to be where the weapons were kept. “Just this morning (Saturday), the military troops were still seen in Lumbuv District where they also attempted to arrest the District Head whom they (Soldiers) believed harboured illegal arms. However, information got to the chief and he escaped the arrest.

“As I talk to you, nobody knows where the army took the traditional rulers to,” he said.

A security source told journalists that one Ak47 assault rifle, one magazine, 20 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one locally made mortar tube, and one vehicle were recovered from chief Adzer.

Meanwhile, another source in Ukum who craved anonymity insisted that the weapons found in the homes of the traditional rulers may have been acquired for the purpose of security and protection of their families and immediate neighborhood given the level of insecurity in the area.

He said: “The weapons they claimed were found in the homes of the Chiefs may have been acquired for self-protection. We all know about the level of insecurity in Sankera axis and how the Chiefs and their subjects in that axis are being killed by bandits and armed loyalists of the late militia leader, Terwase Akwaza alias ‘Gana’

“So the Chiefs probably keep the arms to protect themselves, their families, and immediate neighborhood from attacks from the militia gangs. So they should not be demonized in the media until proven otherwise.”