A Benue serial killer, Iorwuese Kpila, alias Dr. Kwagh akorom Menenge and his gang members were Wednesday arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate’s court for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, kidnapping and culpable homicide.
The suspect and his gang members allegedly abducted, killed and buried 12 persons in shallow graves at Gbatse in Ushongo local government area of Benue state.
When the case came out, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction.
The Police Prosecutor, ASP Hyacinth Gbakor, told the court that on September 23, 2019 at about 3 00 am, following a tip off that members of a notorious gang that specialise in robbing and kidnapping unsuspecting victims within Ushongo local government area were in their hideout, at different locations in same Ushongo axis and environs, a team of Operation Zenda Special Crack Squad led by SP Justine Gberindyer, swiftly stormed the various hideouts and arrested six of them.
He, however, said six of the suspects were still on the run.
He noted that the police recovered one locally made single-barrel gun with two live cartridges, charms and one rope used in straggling kidnapped victims.
According to him, police investigation further revealed that the suspects kidnapped, killed and buried 12 persons.
“The suspects also robbed the victims’ personal belongings, motorcycles and one Toyota Corolla car with registration number BAL52XR Taraba, before killing them contrary to the provisions of Sections 6 (b) 1(l)(2)(a) (b) of the Robbery and Firearms, Special Provisions Act 2004, Section 3(2) of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue State 2004 and Section 222 of the Benue State Penal Code Law 2004,” he added.
Gbakor told the court that investigation was still in progress and requested that the case be adjourned to another date.
The presiding magistrate, Mr Isaac Ajim, ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to September 29, 2019 for further mention.
