March 8, 2023

A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday ordered the remand of four persons at the Correctional Service Centre, Makurdi, for allegedly killing five persons during a cult clash.

The defendants, Kator Yandev, Samuel Uchenna, Okpomi Ekara and Surajo Hafeez, all residents of Gboko, Benue, are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, belonging to a secret cult, culpable homicide, and causing mischief by fire.

Other charges preferred against them include possession of offensive weapons and act of terrorism.

When the case was mentioned, the Magistrate, Mrs. Roseline Iyorshe, did not take their plea for want of jurisdiction.

Iyorshe adjourned the matter until April 6 for further mention.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Godwin Ato told the court that the case was received at the State CID, Makurdi on Feb 15 from Operation Zenda, the security Joint Task Force (JTF) via a signal.

He said the signal stated that as a result of the incessant rival cult clashes in Gboko town, five persons, Benson Kyotsu, Sughter Ayila, Iororun Ikyemum and two others yet to be identified were killed on Feb 11, and many houses set ablaze.

Ato said that as a result of the killings, Operation Zenda , the security JTF, raided the cultists’ hideouts and arrested the suspects in connection with the crime while others fled the scene.

He said that one axe, one cutlass and a locally made pistol with three live cartridges were recovered from the defendants at the time of arrest.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 97, 222 and 338 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

He said it was also against Sections 11(2), 10(c) and 4(2) of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue, 2017. (NAN)