By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has apprehended four (4) persons who assasinated former President, Benue State Customary Court, Justice Margaret Igbetar.
Late Justice Igbetar was murdered in her residence in Makurdi, the State capital on 24th August, 2023 and her decomposing body was discovered two(2) days after her death by her son.
Briefing journalists while parading the suspects at the State Command headquarters, Makurdi, the Commissioner of Police Bartholomew Onyeka said one Aondohemba Joseph, a Nephew of the deceased was arrested inmediately the case of the culpable homicide was reported at the ‘E’ Division.
He added that a more detailed and advance investigation started when the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and handed over to the Operation Zenda investigative team to continue.
According to him,’the suspect who eventually confessed to have planned and recruited other people to help him in killing his Aunty led a team of detectives to Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area where the following suspects were arrested; Igbazenda Gbidye 63yrs old and Dzungwenen Ukor 40yrs old.
“These suspects admitted that, Aondohemba Joseph had reported to them that his father died and left so much property in the hands of his aunty (the deceased) and she has refused to hand the said property over to him. They agreed to join him in eliminating her so that he can have access to his property.
One Akuhwa Barnabas 32yrs old, a driver to the deceased who was also arrested, corroborated their statements by admitting that he was the one who allowed the gang access to the house and manned the gate for them until they finished the assassination process.
CP Onyeka also, assured that the Police is working hard to ensure the safe release of the State Commissioner for Information Matthew Abo who was abducted by unknown gunmen two (2) weeks in his country home in Zaki-Biam, Ukum local government area.
“I assured Benue people that we will rescue him and will reunite with the people
Let me use this opportunity to commend the good people of Benue state for their patience and cooperation. The command will continue to do it’s best to rid the state of crime.
It should be noted that between 1st July to 30th September, 2023, the Command arrested 85 suspects for various crimes ranging from kidnapping,culpable homicide,armed robbery, cultism, rape and unlawful possession of fire arm. While 12 locally made pistols,4 AK47Rifles, 4 single double barrel guns,160 Ammunition and 4 Cartridges were recovered.
