TheCable

The police command in Benue has arrested five cultists who allegedly killed and dismembered the body of one Moses Babatunde in Otukpo LGA of the state.

Julius Okoro, the commissioner of police, on Monday, said the command received information on Saturday at 1.45 pm that an unknown corpse was seen at the Edikwu river bank with its internal organs removed.

He said on arriving at the scene, officers found the body of the 29-year-old Babatunde lying dead on the river bank.

“A team of detectives was deployed to the area for investigation, and the investigation revealed that the lifeless body was that of one Moses Babatunde, aged 29 years, who was last seen sitting with his friends at a burial ceremony,” he said.

“The following suspects have been arrested in connection with the case: Idoko Omoru, Emmanuel Eze, Emmanuel Obande, Ameh Peter, and Sunday.”

Speaking on the incident, Catherine Anene, spokeswoman of the command, told TheCable that Babatunde was last seen with the suspects, noting that the police would exhaust all means to get to the root of his death.

“He was last seen with his friends at the burial ceremony. The suspects were arrested because he was last seen with them,” she said.

“The investigation has commenced into the matter and we will ensure that all stones are turned to know what transpired and led to his death.”

The commissioner of police also said a medical doctor working with the federal medical centre, Makurdi, kidnapped on May 13, has been rescued.

He said the kidnappers engaged the security officers in a gun duel that led to the death of one of them during the rescue mission while three were also arrested.

“During the investigation, a team of operation zenda JTF trailed the kidnappers to their hideout at Gaya village, Utange council ward in Kastina Ala LGA of the state,” he said.

“Ten kidnap victims including the doctor were rescued unhurt. Items recovered from the kidnappers include one locally fabricated AK47 rifle with 10 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, two single barrel rifles, one locally made barrette pistol loaded with three rounds of 9mm live ammunition and two military uniforms.”