Aide reportedly identifies BIRS chairman as alleged supplier of firearms as security concerns mount in Benue

Officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have reportedly arrested Terfa Tsetim, popularly known as Darkman, an aide to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, over the alleged possession of six sophisticated rifles in Makurdi.

Tsetim, who is also identified as the youth leader of the Governor Alia-backed faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was reportedly apprehended at an Air Force checkpoint along the Makurdi–Gboko Road.

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He is said to be in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Makurdi as security operatives investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged possession of the firearms.

Aide Allegedly Names BIRS Chairman

Reports surrounding the arrest indicate that Tsetim allegedly told security personnel that the firearms were purchased and handed over to him by Terfa Joseph Kwaghgba, the Executive Chairman of the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS).

Kwaghgba is reportedly a close associate of Governor Alia.

However, the allegation against the BIRS chairman has not been independently verified, and it remains unclear whether he has been formally questioned by security agencies in connection with the reported discovery of the weapons.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged acquisition, transfer and intended use of the rifles also remain unknown.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been made available to the media confirming the details of the arrest or clarifying the status of the investigation.

Arrest Follows Reported Attack on JED Office

The reported arrest comes barely three days after an attack on the Makurdi office of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED), during which a group of about 50 suspected thugs allegedly assaulted staff members, abducted 10 workers and seized four vehicles alongside several pieces of equipment.

The attackers were reportedly associated with a group known as “No Alia, No Benue.”

The incident raised concerns about the security situation in Benue State, particularly regarding the safety of workers, public facilities and business operations.

The reported arrest of a serving political aide with six sophisticated rifles has added another dimension to the growing security concerns, with questions emerging over how the weapons were allegedly obtained and whether they were connected to any criminal or political activity.

However, no established link has been confirmed between the reported arrest and the earlier attack on the electricity distribution company.

Calls for Thorough Investigation

The reported discovery of the firearms has underscored the need for security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the incident, including the ownership of the weapons, the circumstances of their alleged transfer and whether any laws were violated.

Investigators are also expected to clarify the allegation involving the BIRS chairman and determine whether other individuals may have any connection to the matter.

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Given the political positions reportedly held by the individuals mentioned, a transparent investigation would be important in establishing the facts and preventing unverified allegations from being treated as proven conclusions.

As of the time of publication, neither the Benue State Government nor the relevant security authorities had issued an official statement confirming the full circumstances of the reported arrest.