From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command, on Friday, said that a lecturer with the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, (JOSTUM), formerly known as Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM), Dr Smart Ichor has been arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping of Mrs. Susan Anyagh.
The Network gathered that, Mrs. Susan Anyagh is the wife of the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Joseph Sawuaan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM) Chapter, Comrade Paul Anyagh.
The Commissioner of Police CP Hassan Yabanet disclosed this in a statement he issued; titled “Kidnap Of Mrs Susan Sedoo Anyagh; Police Action” and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, Friday.
CP Yabanet stated that on the 7/12/2024 at about 0900hrs information was received at Police Headquarters, Makurdi, that Mrs. Susan Anyagh, wife of the chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Joseph Sawuaan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM) chapter was kidnapped along Otukpo road, Makurdi and taken hostage in her car that was being driven to an unknown destination.
The State Commissioner of police who spoke in the statement through the command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene explained, that, in quick response, the Commissioner immediately ordered all patrol officers and checkpoints to ensure her rescue and arrest of kidnappers involved.
“At about 1300hrs another information was received along Yandev-Ugbema road that the said victim was attacked by her assailants and left unconscious by the road side.
“She was identified and rushed to Primary Healthcare Clinic, Ameladu for treatment where she was responding to treatment and after gaining consciousness, she narrated her ordeal”.
According to the statement, Mrs Anyagh stated that while she was driving from NNPC mega fuel station, Kanshio area of Makurdi 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.
She said they quickly jumped into her car and pointed a gun at her, ordered her to drive towards Wurukum area.
“Immediately, she looked outside the car and saw her husbands colleague, Dr. Ichor Tersagh Smart of JOSTUM standing by the car, she beckoned on him for help but he turned his back and walked away.
“While moving in the vehicle, her abductors received a call from Dr. Ichor ordering that she should be killed and she became agitated.
“When they sighted a police check point ahead that was checking vehicles, they decided to reverse to a hidden place, they parked the car, brought her out, collected the sum of one million three hundred and fifty thousand naira (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.”
The statement further said that Ichor, a lecturer in the department of Microbiology, has been arrested in connection with the case and investigation is ongoing.
The Commissioner said details of the investigation will be communicated in due time and necessary actions shall be taken.
He however advised all concerned persons to be law abiding and patient with the police as diligent investigation will be carried out to establish the fact in issue.
When our correspondent contacted the victim’s husband and Chairman of ASUU-JOSTUM, Comrade Paul Anyagh also confirmed the incident.
He promised to get back to journalists soon as he was not in a good position to speak at the moment.
