By ONYEJE ABUTU-JOEL

A Makurdi Chief Magistrates? Court on Thursday ordered the remand of two farmers, Nyamyoho Atimbir and Emmanuel Imiase, over alleged terrorism and destruction properties worth N80 million belonging to the Mbakyum community.

The defendants who live at Vandeikya Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue were charged with criminal conspiracy, act of terrorism, abduction and mischief by fire.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Kevin Mbanongun, who did not take the pleas of the defendants, ordered their remand in correctional centre.

Mbanongun adjourned the matter until Oct 16, 2025 for further mention.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Godwin Ato, told the court that the Commissioner of Police received a petition written by Ayia, Ayia George and Co. Legal Practitioners, on behalf of Shishi, Swem and Gire families of Mbakyum community.

Ato said the three families of Mbakyum in Mbakyaha District of Vandeikya LGA, represented by Peter Shishi and Samuel Jiodo stated in the petition that the defendants and one Fanen Igber have been terrorizing them on their land and destroying their properties.

The petitioners said the defendants and Igber had burnt down the houses of individuals opposing their illegal collection of N20 million from Bauhaus Global Investment Nig. Ltd for mining and blasting the rocks situated in their community.

The petitioners further stated that the defendants and Igber recruited militias to silence Shishi and Jiodo who were representing the three families by burning their houses and destroying their properties.

The prosecutor said the defendants were arrested while Igber was still at large.

Ato informed the court that police investigation revealed that Igber, who was still in hiding was coordinating the militias continued intimidation and harassment of members of the Mbakyum community

He said the police visited the scene of the crime and took pictures of the burnt properties belonging to the complainants as evidence.

According to him, the offenses allegedly committed contravened Sections 97 and 329 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

Ato added that the defendants also violated sections 1(a)(b)(c),(2)(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii) of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 and 3(1)(a)(b)(c)(2) of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law of Benue, 2017. (NAN)

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