The police in Benue State have arrested the suspected leader of a nine-man gang accused of torturing an 89-year-old man, Kyado Justin. The elderly man was allegedly targeted for using witchcraft to cause illness in a local youth, Terzunge Agena, in the Tse Agena-Gbamacha area of the Gwer East Local Government Area.
Catherine Anene, the state police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and reported that the police successfully rescued the victim. She stated, “On January 18, 2023, around 11:30 a.m., it was gathered that Elder Kyado Justin, 89, was abducted by a nine-man gang for alleged witchcraft against a young man who had been sick in the area, as pronounced by a witch doctor.” According to Anene, the gang took the octogenarian to a location where they built a fire and forced him to sit by it, intending to extract a confession regarding his supposed involvement in the illness of Terzunge Agena.
When the police arrived at the scene, the assailants fled, leaving behind the victim, who had suffered various degrees of burns on his waist and legs. He was promptly rescued and transported to the Federal Medical Centre in Apir for treatment. Following the incident, authorities arrested one Ushahemba Agena, who allegedly led the mob to Justin’s home. The police are currently working to apprehend the remaining suspects who are still at large.
Comments are closed for this story.