In a shocking development, Dr. Smart Ichor, a lecturer at the Joseph Sarwan Tarka University, Makurdi (JoSTUM), formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been arrested by the Benue State Police Command for his alleged involvement in the abduction of Mrs. Susan Anyagh, the wife of the JoSTUM branch Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The incident occurred on December 7, 2024, along Otukpo Road in Makurdi. Mrs. Anyagh was reportedly driving back from a fuel station where she had gone to collect money when she stopped to assist individuals who appeared to need help. These individuals, however, turned out to be armed men who forced their way into her car at gunpoint and ordered her to drive toward the Wurukum area.
During the ordeal, Mrs. Anyagh recognized Dr. Ichor, her husband’s colleague, standing near her car. Hoping for assistance, she called out to him, but he allegedly turned his back and walked away. Matters worsened when the kidnappers received a phone call, allegedly from Dr. Ichor, instructing them to kill her.
While being driven to a hidden location, the abductors decided to abandon their plan upon approaching a police checkpoint. They reversed the car to a secluded spot, stole ₦1.35 million from her vehicle, and used a vehicle jack to strike her neck, leaving her unconscious by the roadside.
The police were alerted to the situation and acted swiftly. Later that day, Mrs. Anyagh was discovered along the Yandev-Ugbema Road and was immediately taken to a healthcare clinic in Ameladu for treatment. Upon regaining consciousness, she narrated her ordeal and implicated Dr. Ichor in the crime.
Following her account, the police arrested Dr. Ichor and launched a thorough investigation. The Benue State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Superintendent Catherine Anene, confirmed the arrest and assured the public that the investigation would uncover the facts and lead to justice.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Steve Yabanet, has urged all parties involved to remain patient and law-abiding while the investigation continues. This incident adds to the growing concerns about criminal activities in the region, as authorities intensify efforts to combat such crimes and ensure the safety of residents.