Benue youths chase robbers, recover stolen valuables

The Benue State Youth Leader and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Youth Organisation and Illegal Levies, Gbenda Terver, has successfully led a team of young people to recover items stolen during a robbery at Agber Villa in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State.

The robbery occurred at about 3 a.m. on Monday, after a resident, identified as Lady Pesh, made a distress call alerting the youths to the presence of armed robbers moving through the neighborhood, breaking into homes and stealing valuables.

Upon receiving the alert, Gbenda, who was at the Governor Alia Youth House celebrating his birthday, immediately mobilized his team and rushed to the scene.

The group of youths chased the robbers in the direction of the Wadata axis, compelling them to abandon a bag containing an iPhone 13 Pro Max, four other smartphones, an iPad, a laptop, a hot plate, and a vehicle jack.

Gbenda confirmed that all the retrieved belongings—except the vehicle jack, which is still under verification—had been returned to their rightful owners after they presented proof of ownership at the Office of Youth Organization and Illegal Levies.

He appreciated the residents for their prompt cooperation and urged Benue youths to remain “vigilant, law-abiding, and focused,” adding that anyone found engaging in crime or illegal dealings would be dealt with appropriately.

The SSA also instructed coordinators of the Task Force on Illegal Levies across the 23 local government areas to strengthen their monitoring activities and work closely with security agencies to enhance safety across the state.