Three people were charged by the Benue Police Command on Monday with criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, terrorism, and cult membership before Makurdi Chief Magistrates' Court 5.
Agbongur Adamu, Oryina Kumshi, and Aondongusha Unongu, the three accused individuals, were detained by Operation Zenda troops after allegedly robbing a student on November 29.
The case was moved from Operation Zenda JTF Headquarters Makurdi to the state Criminal Investigation Department on December 7, according to the prosecutor, Insp. Regina Ishaya, who testified in court.
Ishaya claimed that on a tip-off, Operation Zenda personnel under the command of ASP Imoban Dese detained the three.
He said that the trio belonged to a robbery group that terrorised the Adeke neighbourhood.
The prosecutor claims that on November 29, the group robbed Monday Ujah, a student at Benue State Polytechnic Ugbokulo, at No. 9 Obuloko Street, Otukpo, while carrying a pistol.
She said that they took the student's Samsung Galaxy A23, worth N126,000, Camon 16 Tecno phone, worth N93,000, and other valuables.
The three accused individuals were detained in Adeke village, according to Ishaya, who also informed the court that charms, a cutlass, a police camouflage headgear, and a jumper were also found on them, in addition to the Samsung galaxy A23.
The prosecution added that the defendants reportedly admitted to being members of the Junior Viking Confraternity, a hidden cult that terrorised particular regions of Makurdi.
She said they also named Terkaa Ambem aka "Cornerstone," Ikya Chahul aka "Tswardwem," Aondowase Devio aka "Tallest," Oryiman Kumshi, Teryima Akatakpo, and Ternenge Bibi as some of their collaborators.
The Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act 2004's Sections 6(b) 1(1) and (2)(a)(b) were broken, the prosecutor said.
Additionally, it broke the Benue Penal Code Laws of 2004 and Sections 4(2) and 11(2) of the 2017 Abduction, Hostage-Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult, and Similar Activities Prohibition Laws.
However, the accused persons' plea was not accepted due to lack of jurisdiction when the matter was brought up for discussion.
The accused were ordered to be held in the Maximum Correctional Center in Makurdi pending advice from the state director of public prosecution, according to the Magistrate Erdoo Ter.
The magistrate continued the matter for further consideration until February 13, 2023.