Follow Us on Google
From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has arrested four suspected killers of the former President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Benue State, the late Justice Margaret Igbetar.
They include the deceased relations; her nephew, her driver and two other accomplices.
Recall that the late Justice Igbetar was murdered in her residence in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, on 24 August 2023. Her decomposing body was later discovered two days later by her son.
Parading the suspects before newsmen at the command headquarters in Makurdi, Commissioner of police in the state, CP Batholomew Onyeka, said one Aondohemba Joseph, a nephew of the deceased was arrested immediately after the case of the culpable homicide was reported at the ‘E’ Division.
He said “Recall that on 24th August, 2023, a case of Culpable Homicide involving the late Justice Margaret Mary Igbetar (rtd) was reported and I had promised to ensure that Justice is served.
“One Aondohemba Joseph, a nephew of the deceased was arrested immediately.
“A more detailed and advanced 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.”
He said the suspect who eventually confessed to having 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 other suspects were arrested.
The suspects include Igbazenda Gbidye, 63 years old and Dzungwenen Ukor 40 years old.
Cp Onyeka said the 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.
He commended the good people of Benue state for their patience and cooperation with a pledge that the command will continue to do its best to rid the state of crime.
The Commissioner also assured that the police are working hard to ensure the safe release of the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Matthew Abo who was abducted by unknown gunmen two weeks in his country home in Zaki-Biam, Ukum local government area, of the state.
“I assured Benue people that we will rescue him and will reunite with the people,” he said.
The police commissioner also disclosed that between July 1st 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 a firearm.
According to him, seven kidnapped victims have been rescued within the period under review while 12 locally made pistols, four AK47 rifles, four single/double barrel guns,160 Ammunition and four cartridges were recovered.
