By ONYEJE ABUTU-JOEL

A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court in Benue on Thursday ordered the remand of nIne persons in a correction centre for allegedly robbing and killing one Insp Peter Ilonye.

The police charged the defendants, who live at various addresses in Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue with criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and culpable homicide.

However, the Magistrate, Mrs Roseline Iyorshe, did not take their plea for want in jurisdiction.

Iyorshe adjourned the matter until May 15, 2023 for further mention.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Godwin Ato, told the court that the case was received at the State CID, Makurdi on March 1, 2023 from Operation Zenda Joint Task Force Headquarters, Makurdi via signal dated same March 1.

Ato said the signal stated that one Insp Terna Moughga attached to Operation Zenda JTF, Aliade Sector reported at the Operation Zenda JTF, Headquarters, Makurdi on March 1 that Insp Ilonye who was also attached to Operation Zenda JTF, Aliade Sector had been killed by a group of armed robbers.

Moughga stated that the deceased was riding on his motorcycle from Taraku to Aliade town when he ran into the gang of armed robbers who had blocked the road at Jiwunde village and were robbing motorists of their belongings.

Moughga stated that upon sighting Ilonye, they shot him on his stomach and carted away his service AK-47 rifle with breech number NH347439 loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.

He said Ilonye was later confirmed dead as a result of the gunshot.

Prosecutor said the defendants, Alam Timothy, Ushahemba Tarveem, Ternenge Zafefa, Aondonenge Tyozenda, Zakpe Alfred, James Akange, Terdoo Ikpur, Aondohemba Torto and Jennifer Terna were arrested during police investigation for committing the offences.

He said some others are still at large.

Ato said two AK-47 rifles, four locally made pistols, seven single barrel guns, 67 rounds of 7.62×39 mm live ammunition and three magazines were recovered from the hoodlums.

Also recovered were four expended cartridges, 21 live cartridges, four pairs of Military camouflage and a pair of Mobile Police uniform were recovered from the defendants.

Prosecutor said their offenses contravened sections 6(b), 1(1)(2)(a)(b), 3(1) of the robbery and firearms act, 2004 and 222 of the penal code laws of Benue, 2004. (NAN)

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