18-yr-old tailor imprisoned for unlawful possession of firearms

A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded an 18-year- old tailor,

Umoru of Newland, Anmoda Road, Otukpo, was also alleged to belong to a secret cult group.

Umoru is being tried for unlawful possession of firearms and belonging to unlawful society, contrary to sections 27(a) (i) of the Firearms Act, 2004 and 99 of the Penal Code laws of Benue state, 2004.

Prosecutor Moses Akoo told the court that the case was transferred from Police Divisional Headquarters, Otukpo to the state CID, Makurdi on Sept 7, for discreet investigation.

Akoo said that the letter transferring the case stated that vigilante group Chairman of Otukpo Central, Emmanuel Philip, had reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters on September 5, 2016.

He said that Philip told the police that while his team was on patrol around Ijah Park in Otukpo, they arrested the accused person with a locally made pistol.

“It stated that further search on the accused person, discovered that he was a member of Black Axe confraternity.

“And that his group had planned to attack the vigilante group which has been having running battles with them and some other members of the public, “Akoo told the court.

No plea was taken.

The Magistrate, Mr Dan Ogo adjourned the case till October 12, 2016 for further mention.