The Nigeria Police Command in Benue State has arrested the chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Joseph Sawuaan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM) chapter, Dr. Ichor Tersagh Smart in connection with his wife abduction of his wife, Mrs. Susan Anyagh on Otukpo road, Makurdi.
SP. Anene Sewuese Catherine, confirmed the abduction, rescue of the hostage and the ASUU chairman’s arrest on Friday in a statement, which advised all concerned persons to be law abiding and patient with the police in the ongoing diligent investigation to establish the fact.
She said the woman was taken hostage in her car while driving to an unknown destination from ‘NNPC Mega fuel station’, Kanshio where she went to collect the N1,350,000 (One Million Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) she collected from her business partner on December 7th 2024.
Her assailants also thereafter dispossessed of the money and left her unconscious attacking her with a vehicle jack on her neck, leaving the injured hostage unconscious on Yandev-Ugbema road.
A Police patrol team deployed for her search and rescue by the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Steve Yabanet took her to Clinic, Ameladu area for urgent medical attention, according to the police image maker.
Narrating her ordeal to police after regaining her consciousness, the hostage stated that she was flag down at Otukpo road by persons who posed as stranded commuters, she stopped and rendered help.
She stated that unknown to her that they were hoodlums who “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 (#1,350,000 ) 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”, she said.
The development led to the arrest of the ASUU chairman, Smart who is cooling his feet in police custody ahead of further investigation and possibly prosecution.
The statement said, “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”.
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