Benue ‘Hunters and Forest Services’ commandant arrested, remanded

The Benue State Chief Magistrate Court 1, presided over by His Worship, V.T Kor Esq, yesterday, remanded one Mr. Peter Ajonye, Commandant of the Benue State Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services in the Nigeria Correctional Facility, Makurdi.

Ajonye was said to have been arrested by Rtd DSP Don Korihom, principal staff officer to the Special Security Adviser of Governor Samuel Ortom on the 27th of April 2022, with one pump action gun model (AVAR with no 5761) loaded with six rounds of live cartridges, of which he admitted ownership, being the state commandant of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services.

The accused was arraigned in court for illegal possession of fire arms and joining unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapons, contrary to section 3(1) of the Robbery and Fire Arms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R11 LFN 2004 and Section 105, Penal Code Law of Benue State Cap 124 (2004). But a plea was not taken because the court does not have the jurisdiction to prosecute the case.

The prosecuting counsel, Barrister Jonah Iornongu, pleaded with the court to grant more time to the prosecution team to make their case as investigations were still ongoing on the matter.

Although the defence counsel protested, Chief Magistrate V.T Kor granted his plea and adjourned the next appearance in court to the 27th of May 2022.

Meanwhile, in a separate lawsuit, the court also admitted to bail with the sum of 300,000 Naira and a surety each in the like sum to the charges of criminal conspiracy, unlawfully assembly, conspiracy, inciting disturbance and assault and illegal possession of arms to Peter Ajonye, commandant; Leva Luther, deputy commandant; Jov Peters Charles, administrative officer; and Godwin Adinya, adviser, who were managing and organising the said illegal security outfit.

According to the first informant report, the suspects were arrested and charged to court as a result of a letter of complaint addressed to the Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP, Wale Abbas, written by the principal staff officer to the Special Security Adviser of Governor Samuel Ortom, stating that on the 26th of April 2022, “a video was seen on Social Media, where men of an illegal security outfit called “Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services, Benue State Command, unlawfully assembled and proceeded to Government House Makurdi.

“While moving in their large numbers, they were seen forcefully cutting hairs of unsuspecting members of the public, and act likely to cause the breakdown of law and order.” (The Nation)