Court remands 4 for alleged attack on JTF checkpoint in Benue

A Makurdi Upper Area Court 2 on Monday remanded four persons at the Federal Correctional Centre, Makurdi  for allegedly attacking a Joint Task Force checkpoint in Benue.

The defendants, whose names were given as Torhemba Adikwu, 30, Tyough Terngu, 24, Pinega Aernyi, 25, and Iororun Fave, 26, are charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief, assault and acts of terrorism.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp Veronica Shaagee, told the court that the case was received at DZ Section SCID Makurdi on Aug. 19, from Operation Zenda Headquarters Makurdi through case No.CJ:4161/BNS/JTF/OPZ/VOL.1/444 dated Aug. 13.

Shaagee alleged that on Aug. 10, a gang of armed men numbering over one hundred attacked a police checkpoint at Ayua village Katsina-Ala Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue.

“During the attack they beat up one Insp Ali Sanamo and a Soldier who were on duty, destroyed and set ablaze the tent and chairs before fleeing into a nearby bush.”

She alleged that the defendants all of various addresses in Katsina-Ala LGA, confessed to committing the offences while other members of the gang  were still at large.

The Prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 97, 329, 337and 268 of the Penal Code laws of Benue State, 2004.

She added the offences also contravened Section 4(2) of the Abduction, Hostage-Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Laws of Benue State, 2017.

The Prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants in custody pending conclusion of investigation into the matter.

The Magistrate, Ms Rose Iorshe, acquiesced to the prosecutor’s request and ordered the remand of the defendants at the Federal Correctional Centre.

She then adjourned the case until Oct. 7, for further mention.