Benue demolishes buildings belonging to suspected kidnappers

The Benue State Government on Monday demolished two buildings allegedly belonging to Cephas Aondofa Shekere, popularly known as “Azonto”, and on the state’s most-wanted list for banditry and kidnapping.

The buildings are in separate locations in Makurdi.

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Azonto is believed to have taken over leadership from the late outlaw, Terwase Akwaza referred to as “Gana” gang after his extermination by the military in September, last year while he was on his way from Kastina-Ala to Makurdi to receive a second amnesty.

However, the latest demolition of the alleged wanted Gana loyalist buildings was done in line with the State’s law on anti-kidnapping which prescribes among other things the demolition of any property used as kidnappers den and related violent criminal activities.

This was after the Police in the state arrested two members of the  kidnappers syndicate said to have been terrorising the people of Sankera comprising Logo, Ukum and Katsina Ala areas of the state.

A raid led by CSP Justin Gberindyer of Operation Ozenda, had culminated in the arrest of two persons from whom huge sums of money in millions of naira were recovered.

The police team also recovered from the suspects 30 rounds of AK 47 ammunition at the locations of the demolished buildings in Makurdi following intelligence gathering while they were planning to carry out their nefarious activities.

The two suspects who earlier led the police to the property that was demolished had confessed to be working with the gang leader, Azonto, who have been declared wanted by the police in Benue.

One of the arrested suspects, is the first wife of Azonto while the other, whose name was given as, Steven Tor-Ikyo, a gun runner, was arrested with the millions of naira meant to help facilitate the purchase of arms and ammunition for the syndicate.

CSP Gberindyer, who spoke to newsmen at the demolition site, said the suspects owned up to their crime and confessed to be working for Azonto.

The police officer also said the suspect, Steven Tor – Ikyo was helping Azonto to facilitate and buy properties in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos and in Makurdi.

The two of Azonto’s property which he (Steven) helped to build were therefore demolished after they were identified to be located within the Federal Housing Estate in Makurdi.