Court remands five suspects over ‘acts of terrorism’ in Benue

An upper area court in Makurdi, on Monday, remanded five men over alleged involvement in acts of terrorism.

NAN reports that Verhsima Hwande, the presiding judge, ordered that the five suspects be remanded in the federal maximum correctional centre in Makurdi, the Benue capital.

The suspects were remanded over offences bordering on criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbances, mischief, and acts of terrorism.

Offences committed by the suspects contravened sections 97, 329, 316, 266 and 329 of the penal code law of Benue state 2004 and section 4 (2) of the abduction, hostage taking, kidnapping, secret cult and similar activities provision law of Benue state 2017.

During the trial, Rachel Mchieve, police prosecutor, said the case was reported at ‘E’ division, Makurdi, by Asemave Boston, chairman of the peace tricycle association of Nigeria, on May 30.

Mchieve said the case was transferred from the ‘E’ division to the state criminal investigation department, through a letter No. AR:3100/BNS/MKE/VOL.6/786 dated June 2.

She said one of the suspects identified as Stephen Vambe, an expelled member of the association, led some hoodlums to attack the peace tricycle office in Wurukum area of the state.

Vembe who is a supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was said to have earlier instigated some youths to take over the management of the association forcefully.

The prosecutor said the executive council members of the association were attacked and beaten up, adding that all the tricycles parked within the premises were damaged.

“When the members of the association’s management attempted to resist, the said Stephen Vambe ordered his men, who were with dangerous weapons, to take over the premises of the association by force,” she said.

The suspects are Vanen Bunde, Wase Tikor, Shie Jacob, Abur Stephen, and Ortyom Lav.

She said Bunde, Tikor, Jacob, Stephen, and Lav, were arrested at different locations, while Vambe and others are still at large.

The judge adjourned the case to July 18 for further mention.