By Martin Iyonguvihi
A 37-year-old man, Agwaza Emmanuel Tsofo, of Ayati, Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State was Monday, April 11, 2022 arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly Kidnapping two persons and demanding ransoms.
The suspect was arraigned by the Benue State Police Command for Criminal Conspiracy and Kidnapping contrary to Section 97 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue State 2004 and Section 3(2) of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Laws of Benue State 2017.
According to the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Inspector Andrew Zamani, the suspect was arrested by men of Operation Zenda JTF during a routine patrol of the area.
He said,”On 09/04/2022 at about 1400hrs, the above case was received at DZ Section SCID Makurdi from Operation Zenda JTF Headquarters Makurdi, stating that on 17/3/2022 at about 800hrs, Men of Operation JTF led by ASP. Usman Danlami acting on a tip off trailed and arrested one Agwaza Emmanuel Tsofo.
“A member of a kidnapping syndicate led by AKA Corporal Ilim that had on 15/3/2022 and 16/3/2022 kidnapped one Kumawuese Terhemba ‘F’ and a yet to be identified Igbo man in Ayati and were demanding for ransom.
Inspr Zamani said, during Police investigation, the said Agwaza Emmanuel Tsofo was arrested for committing the crime while others are still at large.
No plea for want of jurisdiction was taken in court when the charges were read before the defendant(suspect) as the Prosecutor, Sgt Godwin Ato, asked for adjournment to complete investigation in the matter.
Ruling on the matter, the Magistrate, Vincent Kor, Esq. adjourned the case to June 14, 2022 for further mention, and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional service facility in Makurdi.