According to News Agency of Nigeria, About 10 gunmen stormed three courts in Makurdi, Benue State on Wednesday and held a sitting judge hostage. In the process, they shot into the air, caused panic in the capital city as residents fled in various directions.
The courts the gunmen invaded included Benue State High Court 9, Chief Magistrate’s Court and the Upper Area Court.
It was gathered at the Benue State High Court 9 that the Presiding Judge, Justice Mary Abounu, who is the wife of deputy governor, was already seated when the gunmen stormed her court and held her and the people in her court hostage.
“Actually, the first court the hoodlums visited was the Magistrate’s Court 1. They broke into the courtroom and the chambers, where they carted away one computer, a printer, a generator as well as files for various cases,” said Mr. Isaac Ajim, a magistrate.
Ajim said, “After the criminals were done with my court, they proceeded to High Court 9, presided over by the wife of the deputy governor, Justice Mary Abounu, and carted away a refrigerator, three stabilisers, a set of computer, window blinds and left behind empty bottles of drinks.”
At the Upper Area Court, the registrar, Mrs. Sarah Gboji, described the invaders as robbers, saying, “The thieves made away with N280,000.”
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusa, who condemned the act, appealed to youths to always engage in meaningful ventures rather than indulge into criminality.
Gusa also urged Benue State youths to embrace the amnesty programme of the state governor instead of engaging in criminal activities.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said three security guards had already been invited for interrogation.
