The Benue State Police Command has arraigned 28 persons allegedly involved in the killing of 10 herdsmen in the state.
The herders were among the passengers attacked by hoodlums on Saturday near Yelwata village, along Lafia-Makurdi Highway in Guma Local Government Area of the state.
Counsel to the complainants, Mr Tijani Ahmed, confirmed that the suspects were arraigned on Monday in an interview with Channels Television at the Magistrate Court Five, Makurdi, the state capital.
He said the accused persons had applied for an oral application, but the Magistrate declined jurisdiction and ordered that they should be remanded in Makurdi Prison.
Ahmed further asked the police to urgently conclude their investigation and allow timely determination of the case, which has been adjourned till April 24 for mentioning.
Speaking for the prosecution, the Commissioner of Police in Benue, Mr Fatai Owoseni, noted that the arraignment was to serve as a deterrent to those contemplating the act of criminality of any kind in the state.
He said, “The 28 persons that were arrested in court this morning were indirectly and directly connected to the incident.”
“There is no colouration when it comes to crime and criminals; whoever, no matter which side of the divide, that has capitalised on the situation in the state to get involved in any criminality, the law will take its course on them,” Owoseni added.
Courtesy: CHANNELSTV
