Benue: Police Confirm Abduction Of Two  Students As Edo Command Arrests Pastor Over  Murder Of  Seven-Year Old

By Ayodele Oni

Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of two students of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi by gunmen.

Report stated that the incident happened in the late hours of Tuesday outside the University campus.

A student of the institution on Wednesday, Ashar Lubem, however, told newsmen that four students were kidnapped by the gunmen adding that there was panic among the students following the incident.

Lubem said, “Some gunmen kidnapped four students outside campus yesterday evening. We have yet to hear from them. Everyone is in  panic mood because of the incident.”

The Benue Police Public Relations Officer, Sewuese Anene, on Wednesday confirmed the incident and noted that an investigation had commenced.

She stressed that the Command only received a report of two students being kidnapped.

“We received the information yesterday evening that two students were kidnapped. We have commenced an investigation, and further details will be provided soon.”

 In Edo State, the Police Command on Wednesday arrested a 45-year-year-old Pastor Ijebor Simon and Destiny Okojabhole, 23 years, over alleged murder of a 7-year-old boy, Evans Okojabhole.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Moses Yamu said the incident was reported by the deceased’s father, John Okhojibole who lives on Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu Street in Irrua.

Yamu revealed that the late Evans was sighted with his stomach ripped open, his feet severed from his ankle and some fingers cut off and dumped in the bush close to their house, 24 hours after he was reported missing.

“The Command is in receipt of a case of murder reported by one John Okhojibole of Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu Street in Irrua.

“The unfortunate incident was reported on the 22/02/2025 at about 13:45 hours, when the remains of his seven year old son, Evans Okojabhole, was sighted with his stomach ripped open, his feet from his ankle and some fingers cut off and dumped in the bush close to their house at the above named address, 24 hours after he was reported missing.

“During preliminary investigations, two suspects, Pastor Ijebor Simon (45 years) and Destiny Okojabhole (23 years), have been arrested by operatives of Irrua Divisional Headquarters and transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department Benin-City for further investigation.”