10 land in prison for attacking police station in Idoma community

A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court on Monday ordered that 10 men, who allegedly attacked a Police Station in Ado Local Government Area, be remanded in prison, pending legal advice.

The suspects: Emmanuel Obande, Daniel Ogbu, James Ogaba, Edosi Oja, Ochigba Ogaba, Ogbu Attah, Anthony Unogwu, Ogaba Obande, Daniel Onogwu and Sunday Otsapa, were charged with four counts of criminal conspiracy, trespass, attempt to commit culpable homicide, mischief and an act of terrorism.

Refusing their plea, the Magistrate, Ms Rose Iyorshe, ordered the police to duplicate the case file and send it to the Benue Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

She adjourned the case until Aug. 26 for further mention.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Veronica Shaagee told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ado Local Government to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Makurdi, through letter No. 3100/BNS/ADO/VOL.T/ dated July 24, 2019.

Shaagee said that on July 20, some group of youths numbering over 200, led 20 masquerades “Aketakpa” from Igumale town to the Divisional Police Station, Ado, armed themselves and attacked the station.

The group, she alleged, armed themselves with cutlass, sticks, stone, and other dangerous weapons, attacked policemen at the station and inflicted grievous injuries on Sgt Gabriel Adole, PC Joseph Jato and PC Patrick Lawal.

She alleged that the hoodlums also damaged one Toyota Hilux van with registration No. DW 348 EKY valued at N3 million.

Shaagee prayed the court for more time to enable the police complete investigations in the matter.