A Makurdi High Court on Thursday ordered the remand of 15 people in a correctional center for allegedly kidnapping four people and killing one.
The suspects, who reside in various locations in Utonkon in Ado Local Government Area from Benue State, were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, kidnapping and culpable homicide.
However, Magistrate Vershima Hwande did not accept his claim of lack of jurisdiction.
Hwande adjourned the matter until February 27 for further mention.
How the suspects were arrested
Earlier, Prosecutor Veronica Shaagee, Deputy Superintendent of Police, told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Obarike, Ito, Obi Local Government Area, in a letter dated 3 January to the state CID, Makurdi, on the same date.
Shaagee said the letter stated that Simon Ogbaji, a reverend father, and Akpo Ajah had reported the matter at Obarike Police Station on January 2.
The complainants said that a group of kidnappers, about 20 in number, attacked and kidnapped four members of their family.
They stated that those kidnapped were Joyce Ajunwa, Benjamin Ajunwa, Michelle Ajunwa and Onyeje Ogwuche.
The complainants said the victims were kidnapped along Opirikwu/Ijegwu road in Obi Local Government Area to unknown destination.
They further stated that in the process of struggle, the kidnappers inflicted injuries of varying degrees on one of the victims, Peter Ajunwa, leaving him in a coma.
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The prosecutor said that following the report, joint operations were launched with the police, the army and the Benue Volunteer Guard in search of the kidnappers.
He said the joint security operatives received further information that the kidnappers were seen in Obusa village in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
The prosecutor said that upon seeing the security agents, the kidnappers opened fire, resulting in some of them being shot.
He said the victim was rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, but doctors later confirmed his death.
Shaagee said 15 of the alleged kidnappers were arrested in Obusa in connection with the crimes.
He said the offenses contravened sections 97 and 222 of the Benue Penal Code, 2004 and 3(2) of the Benue Prohibition of Kidnapping, Hostage-Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Acts, 2017.
(YAYA)