University lecturer allegedly hired assassins to kill ASUU chairman’s wife – Police

The Benue State Police Command has arrested Ichor Tersagh Smart, a lecturer in the Joseph Sawuaan Tarka University Makurdi, JOSTUM over his alleged involvement in the attempted murder of one Mrs Susan Anyagh, wife of the chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU of the same institution.

In a statement made available to journalists on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Anene Sewuese Catherine, the command explained that on December 7, it received a report that the victim was “kidnapped along Otukpo road, Makurdi and taken hostage in her car that was being driven to an unknown destination”.

The PPRO said upon the receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State command, CP Steve H. Yabanet immediately ordered all patrol officers and check points to ensure the rescue of the victim and arrest of persons involved.

According to the PPRO, “at about 1300hrs” another information was received along Yandev-Ugbema road, stating that the said victim was attacked by her abductors and left unconscious by the road side.

“She was identified and rushed to Primary Healthcare Clinic, Ameladu for treatment”, the statement said.

The PPRO said, when the victim subsequently regained her consciousness at the hospital, “she stated that while she was driving from NNPC mega fuel station, Kanshio where she went to collect money from her customer, she was flagged down at Otukpo road by persons who claimed to be in need and she stopped to render help.

“They quickly jumped into her car and pointed a gun at her, ordered her to drive towards the Wurukum area. Immediately, she looked outside the car and saw her husband’s colleague; Dr. Ichor Tersagh Smart of JOSTUM standing by the car, she beckoned on him for help but he turned his back and walked away.

“While moving in the vehicle, her abductors received a call from Dr. Ichor ordered that she should be killed and she became agitated.

“When they sighted a police check point ahead that was checking vehicles, they decided to reverse to a hidden place, they parked the car, brought her out, collected the sum of one million three hundred and fifty thousand naira ( N1,350,000 ) she had in the car, opened the car boot and took a vehicle jack which they used to hit the back of her neck and she fell.

The police confirmed that Ichor has been arrested in connection with the case, stating that investigation is currently ongoing.

She added that details of the investigation would be communicated to the public in due time and necessary actions shall be taken.