The Police Command in Benue on Monday arraigned three persons before a Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of fire arms and acts of terrorism.
The Police Prosecutor Insp Stella Ngbede, told the court that the accused were Henrry Ikala, Friday Achi and Adams Sarki.
Ngbede further said that the case was transferred from the ‘A’ Divisional Police Makurdi, to DZ Section SCID Makurdi Via letter NO. AR:3100/BNS/MKA/ VOL.7/391 dated Nov. 14.
She said one Patrick ljiga of No. 5 Ahmadu Kumasi Road Makurdi, reported the case on Nov. 10.
She said the informant returned home from Church in his car alongside his wife and kid, on reaching his gate at the address, stopped for his wife to go down and open the gate for him to drive in and in the process, a gang of gunmen attacked them.
Ngbede said he was robbed at gunpoint of his wallet containing four ATM cards, driver’s licence, identity Card, N80,000 cash and his Oppo handset worth N78,000 and fled to unknown destination.
She said during Police investigation, one Henrry Ikala who was identified by the victim, was arrested alongside one Friday Achi and Adams Sarki, all of various addresses confessed to the crime.
She said they also confessed committing the offences with one Isaac Yusuf now at large.
She said they recovered one locally made revolver pistol, three ATM cards and a black beret.
The Prosecutor further said the accused contravened the Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act 2004 and the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and similar activities prohibition laws of Benue State 2017.
Ngbede also 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, Mrs Christy Ikpe, remanded the accused at the Federal Maximum Correctional Centre Makurdi and adjourned the case until Jan. 15, 2023 for further mention.
