The Police in Benue on Friday arraigned 10 persons before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court 5 for alleged criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, inciting disturbance, culpable homicide and acts of terrorism.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp. James Ewaoche, listed the accused to include Taghga Michael, Myuega, Chiahemen Iorundu, Terna Kerfefa, Iorchivir Orapine, Mson Avaa, John Iorwa, Terzungwe Mbatsonrun, Iorundu Abuku and Terfa Tsaper.

Mr Ewaoche said the case was received through a written petition by Elohim Chambers Legal Practitioners & Notary Public on behalf of Sekullah Nyior, Kator Nyior and Terkimbi Kalagba all of Mbamo in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, and addressed to the Benue Commissioner of Police dated April 16.

He said that Michael Tughga, Terver Atov, Myuega Oryiman, Chiahemen Tsebee and Terna Kerfefa, who claimed to be members of Benue State Volunteer Guard operating in Katsina-Ala Area, stormed the compounds of David Nyior and Jonathan all of Mbamo in Katsina-Ala LGA and attacked them.

He said that while in their compounds, the accused burnt and destroyed the two compounds and gruesomely killed David Nyior and Jonathan Kalagba without any provocation.

“Aside the attack and extra judicial killing of Mr David Nyior and Mr Jonathan Kalagba, there has been continous threat of violent attacks against their families by Iorchivir Orapine, Mson Avaa, John Iorwa and Iorundu Tsebee, who had threatened that, the attack would definitely take place no matter how long it took,” the prosecutor said. 

He further said that during the attack, they cruelly shot and butchered two persons to death, while others sustained various injuries, while five flats, one hut and other property worth more than N772 million were burnt, destroyed or looted.

He also said that one flat, many huts and property worth more than N73 million were burnt in Janathan Kalagba’s house.

He said that during police investigation, Taghga Michael, Myuega Oryiman, Chiahemen Iorundu, Terna Kerfefa, Iorchivir Orapine, Mson Avaa, John Iorwa, Terzungwe Mbatsonrun, Iorundu Abuku and Terfa Tsaper all of various addresses were arrested.

Mr Ewaoche said that investigations into the matter revealed that the accused persons committed the offences along with Teryila Tsekonol, Terzungwe Mbatsoron, Atume Terver, Iorliarn Tertsea, Terfa Atov and Anor (real names not known), among others, who are now at large.

He said that the accused contravened Sections 97, 329, 116, 222 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State 2004 and Section 4(2) of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secreet Cult and Similar Activities prohibition Law of Benue State 2017.

Mr Ewaoche said that investigation into the matter was still ongoing and requested for additional time to complete it.

However, when the case came up for mention no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction.

The Magistrate, Erdoo Ter, remanded the accused at the Federal Maximum Correctional Centre, Makurdi and adjourned the case to February 15, 2023, for further mention.

(NAN)