The Benue State Police Command has disclosed that its operatives rescued an 89-year-old man, Kyado Justin, from angry mob in the state.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, the youths of Tse Agena-Gbamacha, in the Gwer East Local Government Area of the state, had accused Justin of using witchcraft to inflict sickness on a youth, Terzunge Agena.
Anene said the victim was invited to a spot where he was tortured until he was rescued by operatives of the command.
The spokesperson also said that a certain Ushahemba Agena, the suspected leader of a nine-man gang that allegedly tortured the 89-year-old man has been arrested.
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Anene said, “On January 18, 2023, around 11.30am, it was gathered that Elder Kyado Justin, 89, was abducted by a nine-man gang for alleged witchcraft against a young man who had been sick in the area as pronounced by a witch doctor.
“The youth took him (octogenarian) to an area where they prepared fire and compelled him to sit by the fire so that by that torture, he would confess that he had a hand in the ill health of one Terzungwe Agena.
“Upon the arrival of the police, the hoodlums abandoned the victim, who had sustained various degrees of burns in his waist and legs, and ran away. He was rescued and taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Apir, where he is receiving treatment.
“Investigation led to the arrest of one Ushahemba Agena, who led the mob to the victim’s house. Efforts are being made to arrest other suspects at large.”