The police in Benue State have 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 the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Police spokesperson in the state, Catherine Anene, made this known in a statement to newsmen in Makurdi yesterday.
Anene said on December 7, 2024, police received information that Susan Anyagh was kidnapped along Otukpo Road in Makurdi and was taken hostage in her car to an unknown destination.
According to her, the Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet, immediately ordered all patrol officers at check points to ensure the rescue of the woman and arrest the perpetrators.
She added that at about 1pm, the police received another information that the victim was attacked by her abductors and left unconscious by the road side along Yandev-Ugbema Road.
The statement said she was identified and rushed to Primary Healthcare Clinic at Ameladu for treatment.
After regaining consciousness, she said while she was driving from NNPC Mega station to Kanshio, 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.
She 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.
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 check point 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 booth, took out a jack which they used to hit her at the back of her neck and she fell down.
The PPRO explained that suspect had already been arrested in connection with the case and investigation was ongoing, pledging that details would be communicated while necessary actions would be taken on the matter.
