Trending 
Police in Benue State say they have arrested 41 suspects in connection with allegations of illegal slaughterhouses and related criminal activities in Makurdi, the state capital.
The arrests were confirmed on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, while responding to allegations that so-called “slaughter homes” were operating along Awe Street in the Wurukum area of Makurdi.
The allegations have been trending on social media for several weeks, backed by testimonies from unidentified individuals who claimed they were abducted by motorcycle riders and taken to the area under suspicious circumstances.
One of the accounts, which circulated widely online, came from a man who claimed he was abducted on December 25 while returning from a church programme near the International Market in Makurdi.
According to the account, he boarded a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as an okada, at about 8:30 p.m., but was taken instead to Awe Street.
The individual alleged that he appeared to be hypnotised by the rider and was pushed into a house upon arrival. He claimed he was taken into a room where he encountered about 10 young girls, one of whom was allegedly naked and crying.
According to the narration, the woman told him she had been abducted earlier that morning while attempting to travel to Ilorin, Kwara State.
She claimed she boarded a motorcycle to reach the motor park before 6:00 a.m. and was taken to the location after the rider said he needed to pick up a parcel. The woman reportedly offered to pay a large sum to secure her release, but the offer was allegedly rejected.
“So, I followed them into a house the place was a dreadful place; I knew in my spirit that there was a power or demonic presence operating in that place, when I became reluctant to enter, one of the boys pushed me in, as we entered, they took me into a room where there were other young girls (about 10 of them).
“One was standing naked, crying, so I asked what was happening, how they got here, then I moved to the girl crying without her clothes on, and I asked why she was naked. She said she was brought there at about 5.30 am, that she was travelling to Ilorin, Kwara State, and she needed to be at the park before 6.00 am.
“So she boarded a motorcycle on their way. The bike man pleaded with her that she should give him a little time to pick a parcel for a waybill, and that was how she found herself there. She offered to give them #1million for them to spare her life, but they refused.”
Another social media post, also attributed to an unidentified individual, claimed that his daughter narrowly escaped being taken to the same area after becoming suspicious of a motorcyclist who attempted to lure her there.
Responding to the claims, DSP Edet said the police were aware of the reports and had taken action. She said a raid of identified “black spots” was conducted in Awe Street, Wurukum, and Wadata areas of Makurdi.
“I’m aware of this, and the same has been forwarded for action,” Edet wrote.
“A raid of black spots was organised at Awes Street, Wurukum and Wadata, where 41 suspects were arrested for screening.”
