Attack on Gov Alia: Police arraign nine suspects in Makurdi

The Police in Benue State have arraigned nine suspected criminals before a Makurdi upper area court for blocking the Makurdi-Lafia road last year, robbing motorists and passengers of their belongings.

Prosecution had told the court that the accused persons, James Orduen, Ternenge Mnyam,Tyokyaa Terzungwe,Peter Donald,Gboko Terseer, Isaac Awaaga, Robert Teghtegh, Moses Aondoaseer and Ronald David all of various addresses in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, had on the fateful day equally attacked and fired gunshots at the convoy of the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

According to him, the accused had blocked the Makurdi-Lafia road at Ban village in Guma Local Government Area with logs of woods and were robbing motorists of their monies as well as other valuables before luck ran out of them.

The prosecution also informed the court that one Bajaj motorcycle they robbed from Yusuf Musa was also recovered from them during the operation.

It added that other items recovered from the criminals include one single barrel gun, a pair of military camouflage uniforms, three police identity cards, charms and 12 ATM cards of various banks.

During a police investigation, the accused confessed to committing the crime.

Counsels to the accused persons, ST Akohough and DN Kwaghtser, in their presentation said they would apply for bail of their clients formally.

Ruling, the upper area court judge SD Kwen, ordered that the accused persons be remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre, Makurdi, and adjourned the case to 18th March for further mention.