A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, on Tuesday, remanded four persons in prison custody for kidnapping and also demanding the sum of N16 million as ransom from their victims in the state.
The accused persons, Tukur Abdulrahaman, Abubakar Ibrahim aka Aguma, Haruna Adamu and Umar Gambo, who are defendants in two separate suits between the State Security Services in Koton-Karfe had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Federal High Court presided over by Justice D.U. Okoruwa, remanded the accused persons for offences bothering on four and one count charge of terrorism, hostage taking, conspiracy, aiding and abetting kidnapping contrary to Section 2 (H), 15, 17 and 18 of Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.
According to the charges read to hearing of the accused persons: Tukur Abdulrahaman 38 and Abubakar Ibrahim 45, all male and Fulani by tribe, were accused of kidnapping one Shauibu sometimes in July, 2020, at Okpella – Okene road, and held him in captivity, under severe torture, leading to his death.
Similarly, the accused persons were also accused of kidnapping ten passengers along Okpella-Okene road traveling in a commercial bus and demanded ransom of N16million.
The accused persons were also accused of regularly supplying logistics, foodstuffs and acted as surveillance to a kidnap gang led by Tukur Abdulrahaman.
Umar Gambo, was accused of kidnapping four persons, punishable under section 1(3) cii and punishable under section 2(h) of terrorism Act 2013.
Gambo, 25, a fulani, was also accused to have on 11th September, 2020 at Oguda road along Okene, kidnapped Bose Ibrahim from a commercial bus and three other passengers, held in captivity for four days, until the payment of N250, 000 was paid as ransom before they were released.
O.Y. Yahaya, prosecuting counsel, said having pleaded not guilty by the accused persons, asked for another date to commence trial of the matter and asked the court to remand all the defendants in Kabba Correctional Centre.
Counsels to the defendants, S.A. Abbas, O.C. Fasanyin, did not object to the plea by the prosecuting counsel, consequently, Justice D.U Okoruwa, adjourned the matter till the 2nd of March, 2021 for hearing.
