Seven farmers were on Wednesday remanded in a correctional centre on the orders of a Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court in Benue.
The suspects, who reside at Gboko Local Government Area of the state, were remanded over alleged arson and stealing of 12 pigs and facing criminal charges of conspiracy, arson, trespass, mischief and armed robbery, among others.
The Prosecutor, Insp Godwin Ato, told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Gboko to Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi on July 10,adding that the defendants and others now at large, committed the offenses on April 6 in Gboko.
Ato also accused the defendants of breaking into the complainant, Mary Aku’s compound, armed with different weapons, and stole 12 pigs.
“They broke the window glasses of her house and the door of her piggery, battered her giant dog with logs of wood and stole her 12 pigs and a dog,” the prosecutor said.
“When police came for arrest, they resisted and collected a police riot gunner, inflicted a deep cut injury on an Assistant Superintendent of Police,” he added.
Furthermore, Ayo said the defendants later burnt down a five-bedroom flat bungalow, household property and certificates belonging to the complainant.
However, during police investigation after their arrest, Ato said the defendants confessed to committing the crime.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 97, 349, 329, 338, 248, 134 and 150 of the penal code law of Benue, 2004 and Section 6(b) and 1(1)(2)a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004.
Ato further said that the offenses were contrary to Section 4(2) of the Abduction, Hostage-Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue, 2017.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Kelvin Mbanongun did not take the plea of the defendants, identified as Iorlumun Shimadoo, Ushahemba Sule, Terese Bua, Oryima Asongu, Terhile Tyoshar, Luper Pila and Nanen Bua be ahss of jurisdiction.
He adjourned the matter until Sept 18, for further hearing.