Police Arrest Attackers Of Ortom’s Convoy In Benue

Nigeria’s number one police officer, Usman Alkali Baba, has disclosed that 10 suspects have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the attack on the convoy of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.

Naija News had reported how unknown gunmen attacked the Ortom’s convoy at Tyo Mu along Makurdi-Gboko road while the governor was on a visit to a farm.

Narrating the incident at the time, Ortom said the gunmen, numbering about 15, trailed his convoy to the river bank where he was on foot with his security detail to inspect a farm and opened fire on them.

Ortom had commended his security detail for their efforts, adding that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, the police, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) mobilised to the forest between Tyo Mu and Abinse where the attackers were thought to be camped.

Speaking on the development at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the acting Inspector-General of Police explained why there has been a delay in the arraignment of the suspects.

He noted that the suspects are currently in detention and they could not be charged to court, owing to the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

He said: “Those who organised and those who pulled the trigger have all been arrested and investigation is ongoing.

“We have had them for over a month, but the courts have been closed for over three months. Where do I take them to?”