SAN FRANCISCO, May 31, (THEWILL) – Six persons alleged to have killed two Catholic Church priests and seventeen (17) worshippers at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpor, Ayar, Mbalom, Gwer East Local Government in Benue State have been remanded in prison custody by a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Benue State presided over by Isaac Ajim.
The attack, which occurred a few weeks back drew wide condemnations from Nigerians and the international community.
The suspects according to court papers are the Commander of Livestock Guard, Alhaji Tashaku Aliyu, Husseini Manga, Ngyohov Shin, David Akenawe, Agada Tsesaa and Tarza Orvanya.
The state alleged that they unlawfully and illegally secured guns and assisted herdsmen to terrorise and kill farmers contrary to the anti-open grazing law enacted by the government.
Prosecutor Edward Imo said security agencies detained Aliyu following intelligence reports linking him to the gruesome killings and had interrogated him at the FCT Police Command, Abuja.
They were ordered back to court on July 17, 2018 for further hearing on the matter after the state asked for more time for further investigations into the crime.
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