The Nigeria Police Force, Benue State Command, has arrested 41 suspects in connection with alleged illegal “slaughterhouse” operations in Makurdi, the state capital, the command’s spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.
The action follows widespread social media claims alleging that unlawful activities were taking place in properties linked with the purported slaughter facilities.
DSP Udeme Edet, Public Relations Officer of the Benue Police Command, said police carried out coordinated raids at Awe Street in the Wurukum and Wadata areas of Makurdi in response to the trending allegations.
“A raid of black spots was organised at Awes Street, Wurukum and Wadata, where 41 suspects were arrested for screening,” Edet said, referring to the initial phase of investigative screening and processing of those taken into custody.
The arrests were triggered after claims circulating on social media suggested that illegal slaughterhouses were in operation within parts of Makurdi.
In one widely shared online account, an unidentified man claimed to have been abducted on December 25, 2025, and taken against his will to a site where he encountered several young women held in disturbing conditions. The authenticity of these accounts has not been independently verified by authorities.
The alleged eyewitness narrative described being transported to a room containing other individuals who reportedly expressed fear and confusion about their presence there.
The social media testimonies also included claims of coercion and intimidation linked to the locations now under investigation by police.
Edet acknowledged that the trending claims have been “forwarded for action,” prompting the police command to deploy officers to suspected sites.
The focus of the operation has been described by authorities as screening the suspects to determine individual involvement and identify credible evidence connected to the allegations.
At the time of publication, the police had not released details about any charges filed against the suspects, pending further investigation.
Police said the detainees are being processed as part of ongoing efforts to establish the veracity of the allegations and determine whether offences have been committed under relevant provisions of Nigerian law.
The development underscores the role of law enforcement in responding to public safety concerns amplified on social media and highlights the challenges faced by police in rapidly mobilising to investigate complex allegations that emerge in digital platforms.
Authorities have reiterated that investigations will continue to ensure due process and determine appropriate next steps based on established evidence and legal frameworks.
The arrests could lead to formal charges if investigations establish illegal activity or human rights violations.
The case also raises questions about social media’s influence on law enforcement responses and the need for robust verification mechanisms in addressing public allegations involving serious criminal conduct.
