The Nigerian Police have been accused of releasing a robbery suspect linked to a gang that has been terrorizing parts of Benue State. Chronicles Reporters gathered that the gang targeted travelers on the Lafia-Makurdi highway, leading to significant financial losses for their victims.
On the day of the incident, four men, one woman, and two children traveling from Kaduna to Makurdi were ambushed near Tse Pevkyaa in Guma Local Government Area. The robbers, dressed in military camouflage, had set up a fake checkpoint with a wooden plank, having already allowed the victims to pass through two previous checkpoints at Kadoroko. The gang stole cash, gadgets, and personal belongings worth over N3 million. Despite efforts to recover the stolen items, the victims were left empty-handed.
One victim recounted his ordeal, explaining that on September 24, he was on holiday in Makurdi. Later, on October 6, 2024, he traveled to Udei, where he informed the Whirl Stroke security team about his suspicions. He had gathered intelligence that one of the robbers, identified as Godwin Terna Terwase, popularly known as “Iyav” (stomach), was drinking at a local market square. The Whirl Stroke team arrested Terwase and found three live rounds of ammunition and four ATM cards bearing different names in his possession. Terwase confessed to the crime and disclosed the identities of his accomplices, including one wielding a rifle during the robbery.
The suspect was transferred to the Daudu Police Station on October 7, 2024, where both he and the victims gave statements. A video obtained by Chronicles Reporters shows Terwase confessing to the crime. He was later taken to the Whirl Stroke Headquarters at 72 Barracks and subsequently handed over to the Garrison at the same barracks. The Garrison then transferred him to the State CID at the Police Headquarters in Makurdi.
Shockingly, the victims learned that Terwase had been released and was back in the Udei community, continuing his criminal activities. Another gang member, known as Ukohol (Udoor), who wore military camouflage and wielded an AK-47 during the robbery, is reportedly in custody at the Daudu Police Station. However, the victims fear he might also be released soon.
“None of my properties, nor those of my colleagues, have been recovered. All my efforts and resources to ensure justice have been wasted,” lamented one victim. He accused the police of complicity, as their investigation ultimately led to the suspect’s release.
The victim further detailed his attempts to seek justice. He reported the incident to the Daudu 2 Police Station, C-Division Police Station, North Bank, and the Police State Headquarters in Makurdi. He also informed the Whirl Stroke Forward Operation Base in Udei, where the robbers initially fled. A Naval Lieutenant leading the base at the time took measures to secure the area before being reassigned.
The victim’s search for justice continued when he encountered another suspect, Joshua Hulezam, alias “Daddy,” in Makurdi during Easter. Hulezam, whose elder brother is the traditional ruler of Udei, was wearing clothes stolen during the robbery. Although the victim attempted to apprehend him, Hulezam escaped with the help of accomplices. The victim managed to obtain Hulezam’s phone number and sought assistance from the Police State Headquarters in Makurdi for tracking. An officer, Inspector Moses, initially charged him N35,000 but later agreed on N30,000. Despite making the payment and opening a case file, the officer stopped responding to his calls.
Frustrated, the victim turned to another officer, nicknamed “Sharp Sharp,” in Kawo, Kaduna State, for help. Yet, even with additional payments, there has been no progress.
The victims remain devastated by the lack of accountability, accusing the police of failing to deliver justice while their stolen property remains unrecovered.
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