A lecturer with Joseph Saawuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), Dr Tersagh Ichor has been arrested allegedly masterminding the kidnap of Mrs Susan Anyagh, the wife of the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) chapter of the institution.
The spokesperson for Benue Poilce Command, Sewuese Anene, announced the arrest of the lecturer in a statement issued on Friday in Makurdi.
Mrs. Anyagh was reportedly kidnapped on December 7, 2024, along Otukpo Road in Makurdi by armed men and was later discovered unconscious by the roadside at Ameladu in Gboko Local Government Area, LGA, of the state.
Following report of the kidnap incident, Anene said the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Steve Yabanet, immediately ordered all patrol officers and checkpoints to ensure her rescue and arrest those involved.
The PPRO explained that about 2 pm on the same date, another piece of information was received along Yandev-Ugbema road that the victim was attacked by her abductors and left unconscious by the roadside.
According to her, the victim was identified and rushed to Primary Healthcare Clinic, Ameladu, for treatment, where she later regained her consciousness.
Anene said after she regain consciousness, Anyagh narrated how she was abducted to the police.
She said that while she was driving from the NNPC Mega Station, Kanshio, where she went to collect money from her customer, she was flagged down at Otukpo Road by persons who claimed to be in need, and she stopped to render help.
“They quickly jumped into her car and pointed a gun at her, ordering her to drive towards the Wurukum area.
“Immediately, she looked outside the car and saw her husband’s colleague, Dr Tersagh Ichor of JOSTUM, standing by the car; she beckoned to him for help, but he turned his back and walked away.
“While moving in the vehicle, her abductors received a call from Ichor ordering that she should be killed, and she became agitated.
“When they sighted a police checkpoint ahead that was checking vehicles, they decided to reverse to a hidden place.
“They parked the car, brought her out, collected the sum of N1,350,000 she had in the car, opened the car boot, and took a vehicle jack, which they used to hit the back of her neck, and she fell,” she added.
Anene said in the statement that Ichor has been arrested in connection with the case, and the investigation is ongoing.
The PPRO said that details of the investigation would be communicated in due time.
Meanwhile, the CP has advised all concerned persons to be law abiding and patient with the police, as diligent investigation would be carried out to establish the facts.
