Benue: 30 corpses uncovered in mass graves
Thirty corpses have been discovered in mass graves in Gbatse village in Usongo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Daily Trust gathered that the graves were found in the premises of a suspected leader of a kidnapping gang that has been terrorising motorists plying that route.
It was also learnt that the development caused a stir in the community as crowd besieged the vicinity to see things for themselves while some persons allegedly identified their missing relatives among the dead.
The revelation came on the heels of the suspected kidnapper’s arrest by the police after he confessed to killing someone. Witnesses also alleged that the suspect was in the habit of killing his victims and collecting their properties such as cars and motorcycles.
The state’s Police Public Relation Officer, Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Makurdi, saying that it was true that mass graves were identified in Ushongo.
“It was the police that did the job. But exhumation still continues. We can’t state exact findings now. We will give further details later,” Anene said.
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom, said seven persons have so far been arrested in connection with the incident.
Ortom, who visited the locations of the graves told newsmen that police are still searching for four more persons.
“Seven persons have been arrested so far. Four are still at a large. We will get to the root of kidnapping in the state. They will be fished out to face the law. All kidnappers in flash point local government areas including, Vandeikya, Logo, Ukum, Kwande and Katsina-Ala, will be apprehended.
“It is time up for criminality in the state. Imagine that some persons have been missing for more than three years and in some instances, ransom was paid by their relatives yet they were murdered by these persons whose motive is to make quick money. Not even the best lawyer in the country can save them now. I urge Benue indigenes to give information to security agencies to eliminate this,” he said.