Two remanded in Benue for terrorism

Two men were on Thursday in Makurdi, Benue State remanded for allegedly attacking and shooting at policemen on duty.

The men: Kator Aondohemba and Aondongu Iniongu, were charged before a Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court.

They are facing charges of conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, and acts of terrorism.

The alleged offenses are punishable under Sections 6(a) and 3(I) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004, and 4(2) of the Abduction, Hostage-Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue, 2017.

The Chief Magistrate, Vincent Kor, however, did not take the plea of the defendants for lack of jurisdiction.

Kor adjourned the case to October 15 for mention.

Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Hyacinth Gbakor, told the court that on August 26, while on patrol around Vandeikya, Adikpo, and Ugbema Roads, a police team led by ASP Danlami Usman intercepted three young men on an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle.

The prosecutor said on sighting the policemen, the young men jumped off the motorcycle and ran into a bush.

Gbakor said the operatives chased them into the bush, where the suspects opened fire on them but were repelled, resulting in a shootout.

The prosecutor said Aondohemba sustained bullet wounds on his right leg and was arrested alongside Iniongu on the spot.

Gbakor said the third suspect was still at large.

He said that during a police investigation, the defendants confessed to the offenses, adding that two locally-made pistols, one 9mm live ammunition, a Bajaj motorcycle, and a knife were recovered from them.