Idoko Uloko, Mathew Obande, and Paul Abah were charged by Benue police on Wednesday with conspiracy, kidnapping, and terrorism. They appeared before a Makurdi Upper Area Court.
On November 22, 2022, the three and several other individuals—some of whom are still at large—barricaded the Otukpo–Enugu Highway and kidnapped two senior teachers from Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokulo.
She claimed that on November 23, 2022, the police in Benue's Ohimini Local Government Area received a report of an abduction.
“The abductors whisked the victims into a thick forest, tortured them and collected N2 million ransom before releasing them to their families,’’ she said.
She said the accused, all residents of Ohimini Local Government Area confessed to the crime, which contravened the Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act 2004 of Benue.
The offence, she added also contravened the Abduction, Hostage-Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Laws of Benue State of 2017.
Shaagee said police were still investigating the crime.
The court presided over by Mr Vershima Hwande, did not take the plea of the accused for want of jurisdiction.
Hwande remanded the accused at the Federal Maximum Correctional Centre, Makurdi and sent to case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.
He adjourned the case to March 8 for mention. (NAN)