Update on alleged abduction of revenue staff by soldiers in Makurdi

The revenue staff that was abducted by men of the Nigerian Army at the BIRS inspection point at North Bank, Makurdi, was returned and left with the Police at ‘ C’ Division Police Station, North Bank, Makurdi.

The Police called staff of the BIRS who had earlier reported the attack by men of 72 Special Forces to them to come and get their man,Mr Abubu Aondoakaa as he was in urgent need of medical attention.

Mr Abubu was taken to a hospital in Makurdi where he was stabilized, he disclosed that it was men of the 72 Special Forces that abducted him.

“I was at the inspection point, the soldiers came in two Army Hilux vans and started beating us.

“My colleagues ran away, I also tried to escape but couldn’t as three soldiers descended on me,”he said.

He revealed that he was taken to the guard room and locked up with the soldiers who have been arrested by the Army for the attack on the inspection point on January 15,2022,which led to the death of an inspector of taxes, Sixtus Terfa Akure.

“The soldiers took me to the guard room in 72 Barracks and continued beating me. Some of the soldiers in the guard room said I am amongst those that want to sack them from work.”

“The soldiers said we have given testimony against them in court. I denied that I am not a revenue staff.”

“They asked me what I was doing at the inspection point. I told them I had gone out to drink and enjoy myself. I was passing through the inspection point when the soldiers arrived the scene.”

“The soldier asked me of my name, I told them my name is Tersoo Terngu. They had a list of the witnesses that have testified against them at the coroner inquest, they checked for Tersoo Terngu but couldn’t find it on the list of.”

“One of the soldiers said my name was not on the list. That was when they decided to dump me close to where they urinate and later took me to ‘C’ Division Police Station in North Bank, and dropped me at the station.”

“When the Police asked the soldiers to write or tell them what happened for documentation, the soldiers refused and said they will take me back to the Barracks.”

“At that point, I told the police to accept me as following the soldiers back to the Barracks will result to my death,” he said.

Mr Abubu is the star witness of the BIRS at the coroner inquest into the murder of BIRS Staff that was allegedly abducted at the same inspection in a similar style on January 15,2022 and his lifeless body was discovered by the road side close to Aper Aku Estate on January 16,2022.

The star witnesses at the corona inquest as it stands now are not safe, even me since I am one. It will be important for the state government to address this matter before it gets out of hand as men of the Nigeria Army are not above the law.

By Ukan Kurugh