Nine of the suspected Fulani mercenaries unleashing terror on Benue farmers have been arrested and arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court.
The suspects, who were apprehended at Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State by officers of the Special Forces Squad of the 72 Battalion, Makurdi, were arraigned yesterday and charged with culpable homicide and causing mischief by fire.
Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Patrick Sunday, told the court that the accused persons were arrested in Gbajimba on May 6 by the military personnel, who handed them over to the police.
According to him, the army officers told the police that they received reports that some Fulani mercenaries had attacked some villagers in Guma council, killing and burning the houses of their victims.
He explained that the army officers rushed to the area following the report, and were able to arrest the accused. They also recovered three locally-made pistols and four live ammunition in their possession.
According to Sunday, the army officers discovered four yet-to-be identified corpses of victims of the herdsmen at the scene of the attack.
The accused persons who told the court that they came to Benue State from neighbouring Bassa in Nasarawa State could not register a plea, for want of jurisdiction.
Police prosecutor asked for an adjournment of the case pending the completion of Police investigations into the matter, and the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs Cecilia Tsumba obliged and adjourned the case till June 11 for further hearing.
She also ordered that the accused be remanded at the Makurdi prison.
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