Crime
Benue Court Sentences 5 To Death
Five men from Anchoha Village, Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State have been sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide by Justice T.A Kume of the Makurdi High Court.
The individuals, Terna Zwave, Jonathan Gbajime, John Bur, Gabriel Ianna, and Kwaghgba Zaki, were charged before a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court in 2021.
Charged under Sections 97, 349, 329, and 222 of the penal code laws of Benue, 2004, the five men were accused of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, mischief, and culpable homicide.
On October 5, 2021, they trespassed on Oliver Jato’s land, cutting down trees for charcoal. A confrontation with Abraham Hwange, Peter Agber, and the deceased escalated into a violent scuffle, resulting in the beating to death of Biija by the convicted individuals.
Following legal advice, the case was transferred to the High Court, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
During the proceedings, the first defendant, Zwave, admitted guilt, whereas the others entered pleas of not guilty.
The defendants testified without calling any witnesses, while the prosecution presented seven witnesses.
In the final written address, R.B.N Amenger, the prosecution counsel, contended that the defendants’ plea of not guilty amounted to a mere denial.
Amenger argued that the defendants failed to provide a substantive defense, relying on denials and technicalities that, according to him, were not material or fatal to the prosecution’s case.
In his final written address, Defense counsel D.U Liam argued that the prosecution hadn’t proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt to justify the defendants’ sentencing.
Nevertheless, the trial Justice ruled that the prosecution had indeed established its case beyond all reasonable doubts. The Justice emphasized that denying the commission of an offense does not equate to not having committed it.
Justice Kume asserted that the burden of proof lay with the defense counsel, a requirement he deemed unmet.
Despite hearing the plea for mercy from the defendants and their counsel’s statement, which included the Lord’s prayers, Kume maintained the legal perspective on the burden of proof in the case.
Justice Kume emphasized that the applicable law in the case lacked the mercy found in the Lord’s prayer.
Consequently, he sentenced the defendants to death by hanging on the four-count-charge.
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.
The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.
ALSO READ: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence
According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”
The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.
The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.
The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
SEE ALSO: Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun
According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) repelled an ambush by suspected bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by the security personnel along the road.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across different states.
SEE MORE: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence
According to the Police, “Personnel of Operation Zenda JTF on routine patrol along Amaafu-Abaji Road successfully repelled an ambush by bandits, neutralizing one suspect and recovering his locally fabricated gun.”
The Police added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.
It further stated that “No Police casualty was recorded” during the operation.
The recovered firearm was subsequently taken as part of the evidence from the operation as investigations continue.
The Police said the case has been placed under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi.
The Police Force continues to urge members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information that can assist ongoing operations against criminal elements.
IPO: ADF Opens Wealth Creation Pathway for 2m Vulnerable Nigerian Women
2027: Tinubu Will Beat Atiku, Obi by Wide Margin, Says Bwala
‘Dem Dey Use Stick Dey Flog Women’ — Nigerians in India Camp Cry Out
2027: I’ll Bring Petrol Price Down to ₦300, Says Donald Duke
2027: INEC Must Prove Nigerians Wrong on Election Credibility — Donald Duke
‘Military Gets Huge Budgets, Yet Air Crashes Persist’ — Shehu Muhammad
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
