By Amos Aar
THE Benue State Police Command has apprehended one Ushahemba Agena from Gwer East local government area of Benue State for allegedly abducting and torturing his 89 years uncle, Justin Kyado, for allegedly causing his brother, Terzungwe Agena, to be sick.
Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Sewuese Anene, in a statement on Wednesday, said Agena’s arrest was a move by the police against youths attacking elders for alleged witchcraft.
SP Anene explained that an oracle was said to have identified Elder Kyado as the one who bewitched Terzungwe Agena and spiritually caused him to be sick and as result, a gang of nine young men abducted the octogenarian and tortured him with fire to compel him to confess that he was responsible for the young man’s undisclosed sickness.
On sighting the police, SP Anene said the gang abandoned the victim and ran away but investigation led to the arrest of Ushahemba Agena while efforts were being made to nab others at large.
The statement entitled: “Benue Command Moves Tough Against Youths Attacking Elders for Alleged Witchcraft” reads:
“On 18/1/2023 at about 1130hr it was gathered that Elder Kyado Justin ‘m’ 89 years old of Tse Agena-Gbamacha council ward, Gwer- East LGA was abducted by a 9-man gang for alleged witch craft against a young man who had been sick in the area as pronounced by a witch doctor.
“The youth took him to an area where they prepared fire and compelled the Octogenarian to sit by the fire so that by this torture, he will confess that he had a hand in the ill health of one Terzungwe Agena.
“Upon arrival of the police, the hoodlums abandoned the victim who had sustained various degrees of burns at his waist and legs and ran away. He was rescued and taken to federal medical center, Apir where he is receiving treatment.
“Investigation led to the arrest of one Ushahemba Agena who led the mob to the victims house. Efforts are been made to arrest suspects at large.
“The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP. Wale Abass condemns in totality this barbaric act and has pledged his commitment to arrest and deal with perpetrators of this act in accordance with the law.
“The CP calls on traditional rulers and leaders of communities where such inhuman practices are springing up to educate their children/wards as the command under his watch will not tolerate this act”.
The PPRO also made available to newsmen a video of Ushahemba Agena’s confessional statement at the police station.
In the video, Ushahemba Agena who said that elder Justin Kyado was believed to be responsible for all deaths in their village however stated that the fire they set was because of the cold they were feeling by midnight and wasn’t meant to torture the old man.
