The Benue State Police Command has arrested a lecturer with Joseph Sawuaan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), Dr. Ichor Tersagh Smart, over his alleged involvement in the abduction of Susan Anyagh, wife of the institution’s chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Catherine Anene, made this known in a statement to newsmen on Friday in Makurdi.
Anene explained that at about 9:am on December 7, 2024, police received information at the Command’s headquarters, Makurdi, “that one Susan Anyagh, wife of the ASUU chairman JOSTUM chapter was kidnapped along Otukpo Road in Makurdi and was taken hostage in her car that was being driven to an unknown destination.”
According to her, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Steve Yabanet immediately ordered all patrol officers at checkpoints to ensure the rescue of the kidnapped woman and arrest of the perpetrators.
The Command’s spokesperson added that at about 1 pm, police received another information that the victim was attacked by her abductors and left unconscious by the roadside along Yandev-Ugbema Road.
The statement said the victim was identified and rushed to the Primary Healthcare Clinic at Ameladu for treatment. After regaining her consciousness, the victim narrated that while she was driving from NNPC Mega station to Kanshio 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 recalled that the hoodlums quickly jumped into her car, pointing a gun at her with an order to drive towards Wurukum area. Narrating the incident further, the victim said she immediately looked outside the car and saw her husband’s colleague, Dr. Ichor Tersagh Smart of JOSTUM standing by the car.
According to Susan, she beckoned on him for help but the lecturer reportedly turned his back and walked away.
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She explained that she became agitated while being driven to an unknown destination and her abductors received a call from Ichor who ordered that she should be killed.
Susan said when her abductors sighted a police checkpoint ahead, they decided to reverse to a hidden place where they parked the car, brought her out, collected N1,350,000 she had in the car after which they opened the car boot, took out a jack which they used to hit her at the back of her neck and she fell down.
The PPRO explained that the suspect had already been arrested in connection with the case and that the investigation was ongoing, pledging that details would be communicated while necessary actions would be taken on the matter.
The state CP, however, advised all concerned persons to be law-abiding and patient with the police, assuring that diligent investigation will be carried out to establish the fact in the case.
