Police Arrest University Lecturer for Alleged Kidnapping of Colleague’s Wife

The Benue State Police Command has detained Dr. Ichor Tersagh Smart, a lecturer at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), in connection with the alleged abduction of Susan Anyagh, the wife of the institution’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chairman.

Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer in Benue, announced the arrest in a statement released on Friday in Makurdi. Anene disclosed that on December 7, 2024, at about 9 a.m., the police received a report that Susan had been kidnapped along Otukpo Road in Makurdi. She was reportedly taken hostage in her vehicle, which was being driven to an undisclosed location.

Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Steve Yabanet, instructed patrol officers to ensure the safe rescue of the victim and apprehend those involved. At around 1 p.m., police received additional information indicating that Susan had been attacked by her abductors and abandoned unconscious along the Yandev-Ugbema Road. She was identified by responders and rushed to the Primary Healthcare Clinic in Ameladu for treatment.

After regaining consciousness, Susan recounted that the incident occurred while she was driving from NNPC Mega Station to Kanshio to collect money from a customer. She stopped along Otukpo Road to assist individuals who appeared to need help, only for them to forcefully enter her car, brandish a firearm, and instruct her to drive towards Wurukum.

In her statement, Susan revealed that she saw her husband’s colleague, Dr. Ichor, standing near the car during the abduction. She called out to him for assistance, but he allegedly turned away. She further alleged that during the ordeal, her captors received a phone call from Dr. Ichor, instructing them to kill her.

Fearing detection at a police checkpoint ahead, the abductors reportedly reversed to a secluded location, where they robbed her of ₦1,350,000 in cash. They then used a car jack to strike her neck before abandoning her.

According to Anene, Dr. Ichor has been arrested, and investigations are ongoing to determine his involvement. She assured the public that further updates will be provided as the case develops and urged all parties to remain law-abiding and patient while the investigation is conducted.

CP Yabanet reaffirmed the police’s commitment to a thorough and impartial inquiry to uncover the facts surrounding the case.