By Terfa Alaghga
A man, Terhile Job of behind ECWA Secondary School, North Bank, Makurdi was recently, arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court, charged with criminal conspiracy, acts of terrorism, extortion, having possession of token used by the military, forgery, illegal possession of firearms and membership of unlawful society to wit cultism.
Prosecuting Police Officer, ASP Hyacinth Gbakor, told the court that on 15 December, 2020 one Chief Mrs Monica Ugela of No 5 Joseph Ugela Street, Old GRA, Makurdi reported at the Police Area Command headquarters in Makurdi that sometime in November, 2020 and on 24 December, 2020 she received continuous phone calls and a WhatsApp message from unknown persons, threatening to kidnap and kill her children if she did not pay them money.
According to her, due to the threats and for the fear of her children been kidnapped and killed, she paid a cash sum of N250,000.00, in N100,000.00 installment to the hoodlums, through one David Yiman and Terfa Atim but the hoodlums continued threatening her and demanding more money from her.
During police investigation, the GSM numbers used by the hoodlums were tracked and one Terhile Job was arrested and items like, military camouflage shirt, a toy gun, military boot and two military ID cards were recovered from him.
The suspect confessed committing the crime and mentioned one Alias “Respect” and Jude (surname unknown) who he said are all members of a secret society known as Red Skin confraternity which he also confessed of being a member.
Investigation further revealed that the suspect, forged the two military ID cards recovered from him which he has been presenting to unsuspecting members of the public as genuine.
When the case came up for mention, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction while prosecution said investigation was still on-going and asked for another date.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Vincent Kor Esq ordered that the accused be remanded at the Makurdi Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to 22 March, 2021 for further mention.
