27th June, 2022
Sgt. James Aondona of Benue Police Command has been arrested for killing Aondohemba Terkula, a truck driver in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesperson for Benue Police Command SP Sewuese Anene, in a statement issued on Monday in Makurdi said Sgt. Aondona killed Terkula during altercation at a checkpoint at Ngibo, Kastina-Ala on Sunday.
According to independent reports, Aondona and other cops at the checkpoint on Katsina-Ala-Zaki-Biam road, demanded a toll of N3,000 from the driver.
According to human rights activist, Ukan Kurugh, the trailer driver offered to pay N1500, stating that he didn’t have a full truck.
An argument ensued over the driver’s refusal to pay the illegal levy and the policeman allegedly shot and killed him.
An eyewitness said that the trailer driver was heading to Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State when the incident occurred.
The police spokesperson said preliminary investigation revealed that on June 26, at about 1230hrs, Aondona was properly briefed on his schedule of duty and posted to a checkpoint at Ngibo, Kastina-Ala.
He decided to engage in an altercation with the late Mr Aondohemba Terkula, which led to the death of Terkula.
“The corpse has been deposited at the General Hospital in Kastina-Ala LGA.
“Commissioner of Police Wale Abass condemned the unprofessional conduct of the officer involved and ordered that further investigation be carried out,” Anene said.
She further said that Abass assured the good people of the state that justice would be served, stressing that disciplinary procedure had already begun for onward prosecution. (NAN) )