Troops arrest Benue Govt official for alleged possession of firearm

Troops of Operation WhirlStroke of the Nigerian army have arrested Adah Ameh, a councillor from Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

He was arrested for allegedly carrying a firearm without a license, according to security sources on Monday.

Ameh, 43, was reportedly taken into custody by soldiers on Friday, March 8, at Omusu, a rural community situated in the local government area within the Benue South Senatorial District.

Soldiers, who were providing security coverage in the volatile region during the distribution of relief materials at Omusu, observed Mr. Ameh in possession of a pistol.

The councillor, who hails from Effeche in Ojigo Ward, serves as the Supervisory Councilor for Health in Okpokwu LGA.

The arrest occurred during the distribution of relief materials organized by Omale Onyilo, the caretaker chairperson of the local government, in collaboration with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Upon interrogation, Mr. Ameh claimed to have received the firearm from Michael Ameh Idu, the second in command of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards (BSCVGs) at Omusu, purportedly for self-defense against Fulani bandits and kidnapping threats.

The suspect alleged that the weapon had been confiscated from a suspected Fulani bandit since 2022.

Following his arrest, Mr. Ameh was handed over to the police at Okpoga, the headquarters of Okpokwu LGA, for further investigation and potential prosecution.