Benue govt official arrested over alleged possession of illegal firearm

Adah Ameh, a councillor from Okpokwu Local Government Area in Benue State, has been arrested by soldiers involved in Operation WhirlStroke.

Security sources said on Monday that he was detained for allegedly carrying a gun without a permit.

On Friday, March 8, at Omusu, a remote town in the local government area of the Benue South Senatorial District, Ameh, 43, was reportedly taken into custody by troops.

While relief supplies were distributed at Omusu, soldiers stationed there to maintain security noticed Mr Ameh carrying a weapon.

The council member represents Okpokwu LGA as the Supervisory Councillor for Health. She is from Effeche in Ojigo Ward.

The arrest occurred during the delivery of humanitarian supplies coordinated by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Omale Onyilo, the interim chairperson of the local government.

ZINGTIE learned that tension increased when strange movements were observed among the visitors.

Soldiers quickly disarmed Mr. Ameh after they saw him carrying a pistol during the distribution exercise, according to a source who talked with reporters.

“Soldiers sighted the councillor carrying a pistol while the palliatives were being distributed at the Omusu community. So, they (soldiers) immediately disarmed him,” the source said.

During questioning, Mr Ameh stated that he had obtained the gun for self-defence against Fulani bandits and threats of kidnapping from Michael Ameh Idu, the second in command of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards (BSCVGs) at Omusu.

According to the suspect, the gun had been taken from a possible Fulani bandit in 2022.

Mr Ameh was turned over to the police at Okpoga, the Okpokwu LGA headquarters, after his detention, pending additional investigation and possible prosecution.

As of when this report was filed, attempts made to get statements from Sunday Igbinomwanhia, the commander of Operation WhirlStroke, and Sewuese Anene, the police spokesperson in Benue, were unsuccessful.

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