7 armed Fulani herders remanded for kidnapping, rape in Benue

A Chief Magistrate Court in Makurdi, Benue State, presided over by Mr. Kalvin Mbanongu, has remanded seven armed Fulani herders for charges including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, rape, and violation of the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Law.

The suspects, who have different addresses in Nasarawa State, were arrested by police officers attached to the APA Division on April 1, 2025. According to the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Godwin Ato, the herders were apprehended for openly grazing cattle and terrorizing communities in the area.

Inspector Ato revealed that the suspects abducted a female student of the Federal College of Education, Odugbo, located in Otukpo Local Government Area, and demanded a ransom of ₦10 million.

Acting on intelligence, the police stormed the herders’ hideout, rescued the victim, and arrested the suspects along with dangerous weapons. Two other suspects managed to escape.

The case has been adjourned to June 11, 2025, for further mention.

Meanwhile, our correspondent reports that armed herders have been blocking major roads, including the Makurdi-Naka-Adoka-Ankpa federal highway and the Taraku-Naka-Agagbe Road, abducting motorists and travelers across Otukpo, Apa, Agatu, and Gwer West Local Government Areas.