20-year-old herder remanded for allegedly kidnapping, raping minor
Fulani Herdsmen
A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday ordered that a 20-year old cattle rearer, Musa Abdullahi, be remanded in a correctional centre for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 13-year old girl.
Abdullahi who lives in Ichama Community in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue, was charged with criminal conspiracy, terrorism, abduction, open grazing and rape.
However, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Roseline Iyorshie, did not take his plea for want of jurisdiction.
Iyorshe adjourned the matter until Oct. 2, for further mention.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Godwin Ato, told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Orokam, to the State CID, Makurdi on Aug. 2, 2023 via a letter dated same day.
Ato said the letter stated that one John Ejeh had reported the matter at the Orokam Police Station on July 30, that his daughter was missing.
The complainant told the police that on July 29, he was told that his 13-year old daughter was attacked and kidnapped along Atamaka road in Owukpa while returning from the market in company of one Mary Agbo, Christiana Ejeh and some other women.
He said on receiving the information, he mobilized a team of vigilante guards to the scene of the crime and the defendant was arrested there while rearing his cows openly.
The complainant stated further that his daughter was able to escape from her abductors on July 30 and disclosed to him that she was sexually molested by herdsmen who were armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.
Prosecutor said the victim identified Abdullahi as one of the herdsmen and he was arrested during police investigation for committing the crime while others were still at large.
He said the offences contravened the Penal Code laws of Benue, 2004, and the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue, 2017.
The offence also contravenes the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue, 2017.
