The Benue State Police Command has arrested a lecturer at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Dr. Ichor Tersagh Smart, for allegedly masterminding the abduction of his colleague’s wife, Mrs. Susan Anyagh.
The victim, whose husband, Paul Anyagh, is the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), JOSTUM chapter, was ambushed and kidnapped by some men along Otukpo Road, Makurdi, last Saturday.
The spokesperson of the command, SP Anene Sewuese Catherine, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said that the woman was later found along Yandev-Ugbema Road and rushed to Primary Healthcare Clinic, Ameladu, for treatment.
According to the PPRO, the victim, after she regained consciousness, narrated how she saw her husband’s colleague close to where she was abducted and beckoned on him to save her life, but the lecturer walked away.
While in the vehicle, her abductors received a call from Dr. Ichor, who ordered that she should be killed.
“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 statement read.
“In quick response, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State command, Cp. Steve H. Yabanet, FCID psc(+) immediately ordered all patrol officers and check points 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.
“Subsequently, the victim started responding to treatment and gained consciousness. She stated that while she was driving from NNPC mega fuel station, Kanshio where she went to collect money from her customer, she was flag 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, 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.
“Dr. Ichor has been arrested in connection with the case and investigation is ongoing. Details of the investigation will be communicated in due time and necessary actions shall be taken.
“The CP has 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.”
Linda Ikeji
