By Amos Aar
THE Benue State Police Command has arrested one Kelvin Iorfa, aged 59, for the brutal beating of his stepsister, Ms Nguwasen Iorfa, to the point of coma.
In a viral video of the extremely violent abuse of Ms Nguwasen, Kelvin was caught on camera beating the helpless victim with a belt, insisting that she left their Makurdi family residence.
The video could not be uploaded for this report as it was blocked by YouTube on grounds of violating graphic content. YouTube’s email deleting the video upon being uploaded reads: “We want to let you know our team reviewed your content, and we think it violates our violent or graphic content policy. We know you may not have realized this was a violation of our policies, so we’re not applying a strike to your channel. However, we have removed the following content from YouTube: Video National Record Video.”
What started the beating captured in the video is the accusation of witchcraft levelled against Nguwasen. Kelvin called her a witch in Tiv language. But the brutalised lady in a response said she was not a witch “in Jesus name”.
But Kelvin continued to beat her until she collapsed and fainted on the ground. Even while in coma and on the floor, Kelvin still kicked her, ordering her to get up and leave as she moaned unconsciously and seemingly lifeless.
Kelvin then fetched water in a bucket and poured on her with insults as she was lying unconscious to increase the pain on the wounds inflicted on her.
Following the video recorded by a family member in the background of the compound, and later shared on social media, the police traced Kelvin and arrested him on Monday night.
According to a statement released by the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Sewuese Anene, on Tuesday, Kelvin Iorfa was arrested after a report was made to the Police “A” Division; Makurdi four days after the crime was committed.
The statement added that Kelvin confessed to beating his younger sister as a result of an argument that ensued between them.
While the accused is in police custody, the victim’s whereabouts is yet to be known as she is said to be out of reach of the family.
“On 11/04/2023 at about 1000hrs, a report was received at ‘A’ Police Division Makurdi that one Kelvin IORFA aged 59 years, assaulted his younger sister Miss Nguwasen Iorfa about four days ago and a video was made to that effect.
“The suspect was arrested immediately. In his statement, the suspect confessed that he had a heated argument with his younger sister and provoked him to beat her up that much.
“Efforts are being made to reach the victim who is said to have gone out of reach since the incident.
“The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP. Wale Abass, has ordered a detailed investigation into the case to unravel the condition and location of the victim. The CP also commends members of the public for efforts made to reach the police on this case
“The suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing”, the statement reads.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Advocacy and Policy Implementation Committee says it is tracing the assaulted Nguwasen Iorfa to give her legal, psychological and medical assistance.
A statement signed by chairperson of the SGBV Committee, Prof. Magdalyne Dura, on Tuesday indicates that its members were at the state police headquarters on Tuesday with the hope to care for the victim whose family claimed has been inaccessible since the sad incident occurred.
They urged any member of the public who has information that will lead to accessing the victim to avail same to the SGBV desk office at the state police headquarters, Makurdi. The committee assured such a person that his/her identity will not be disclosed.
“We assure the general public that the Benue State SGBV Advocacy and Policy Implementation Committee in collaboration with its technical partners is committed to ensuring that justice is served appropriately in this case”, the committee assured in the statement.
It has been gathered that Kelvin is known for habitually beating his wife who could no longer bear the domestic violence and left his house. The assault was then shifted to his stepsister who used to advise him to stop beating his wife.
