The police in Benue have uncovered secret graves in the Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.
Our correspondent reports that similar discoveries occurred in Zaki Biam town in Ukum Local Government Area of the state in October 2019, barely three weeks after police first unearthed the mass graves of many people killed and buried by suspected ritualists in the Ushongo Local Government Area.
The latest discovery followed the arrest of two criminal suspects allegedly loyal to Azonto, the second in command of late gangster, Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as ‘Gana’.
Witnesses gave the names of the duo as Aondoaseer Terseer referred to as Bob Tsetse, 23, and Orkashima David, 22, popularly called ‘Cash money.’
Witnesses said the two were among those who over the years terrorised the communities of Mbamon, Tavachan, Michiche Council ward among others in Katsina-Ala LGA but fled the vicinity when security operatives began to close up on them.
Council Chairman of Kastina-Ala, Alfred Atera, told our correspondent on phone that the two suspects were arrested in Ilesa in Osun State and brought back to Benue.
Atera said that the suspects, on Monday, led operatives and the local government officials to scene of the atrocities committed in Kastina-Ala.
“They (suspects) confessed to having killed nine people.
“They led us to where they buried four people in a dry well; another two in a shallow grave and where they buried their wives.
“They were fetched from Ilesa where they fled after committing atrocities in Benue.
“They were brought in yesterday (Monday) by Operation Zenda led by CSP Gberindyer,” the council chairman said.
It was learnt that the suspects mentioned the names of their accomplices just as they claimed that four of the gang members have been eliminated.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene confirmed the development but said she was yet to get details of the matter as the operatives were still at the scene of the crime.