Police arraign 2 men over armed robbery in Benue

The Police Command in Benue State on Thursday, arraigned two men, Bem Ikpajev and Msughaondo Ernyi, at a Makurdi Upper Area Court 2, for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.

Ikpajev and Ernyi, both of Ikyem Gbinde family, Makurdi, are also being tried for causing hurt, mischief, inciting disturbance and threat to life.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Veronica Shaagee, told the court that the case was reported in a petition by S.T. Hon, SAN and Co, on behalf of Adiekwu Kombol family of Mbanor, Ityuluv, Torov, Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), by the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Makurdi.

Shaagee said the case, which was forwarded to the Investigation Section (SCID), Makurdi, was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Gbeji, Ukum LGA, via a letter no: AR:3100/BNS/GBJ/VOL.1/40, and dated June 12.

Shesai that the defendants, along with their accomplices, all of Ikyem Gbinde family, had on May 4, attacked Igbana Tsebee of Tachia Adiekwu Mbanor Ityulun in Ukum LGA.

She told the court that the defendants and their accomplices, allegedly carried out the attack in the complainant’s farm with dangerous weapons, injuring him all over his body.

The prosecutor further alleged that the defendants also destroyed the complainant’s cassava farm, as well as his orchard with fruits all valued at N10 million.

Shaagee also told the court that the defendants and their accomplices on May 30, while armed with dangerous weapons, attacked members of Adiekwu Kombol family, shot sporadically and left Orseer Tertsua, and Torkuma Tachia with injuries all over their bodies.

The prosecutor said the defendants also allegedly destroyed and broke into the houses of three members of Adiekwu Kombol family, and made away with all their household items including domestic animals, valued at N7 million.

Shaagee said the Police earlier arrested and arraigned some of the accomplices in a UAC II Makurdi court, and the defendants, who initially went into hiding, were recently arrested.

She said the defendants’ offences contravened sections 97, 247, 329, 116 and 398 of the Penal Code law of Benue State 2004; Section 1(1) (2) of the Robbery and Fire Arms special provisions Act 2004.

However, the defendants’ plea was not taken for want of jurisdiction.

The Magistrate, Mrs Dooshima Ikpambese, remanded the defendants at the Federal Correctional Centre, Makurdi, and adjourned the case to Dec. 8, for further mention.