On Tuesday, a Magistrate Court in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, ordered the remand of five suspected kidnappers at the Makurdi Correctional Center. The suspects faced charges of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, and rape.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the suspects, dressed in military uniforms, blocked the Otukpo federal highway on June 13, 2024. They robbed the occupants of two Benue State Transport Company vehicles, known as Benue Links, stealing their valuables and killing one of the drivers.
The FIR detailed that the suspects then moved over 20 passengers to Oglewu forest, where they held them hostage. During the ordeal, one female passenger was raped, and a ransom of N18 million was collected before the victims were released.
Following the incident, a team acted on received information and arrested five members of the notorious armed Fulani militias. During the court session, Inspector Godwin Ato, the prosecutor, informed that the investigation was still ongoing.
Chief Magistrate Kelvin Mbanogun ruled that the suspects be remanded at the Makurdi Correctional Center. The case was adjourned until September 3, 2024.