Police Arrest 3 Over Killing Of Benue Priests

The police in Benue State have arrested and commenced prosecution of three suspects over their roles in the killing of two priests in the state. The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, confirmed that the three are currently being prosecuted in connection with the killing of parishioners including two priests in Mbalom Catholic Church in Gwer East Local Government Area of the state.

Daily Trust reported that some gunmen on Tuesday, April 24 attacked the worshippers while they were observing the 5:30am Mass at St. Ignatius’ Catholic Church in Mbalom rural community of Gwer East, killing the priests and 17 others.

Owoseni told our correspondent in Makurdi yesterday that three people linked to the killings were later arrested and are undergoing prosecution along with many others apprehended from different parts of the state for various offences. On whether a telephone of one of the deceased priests was found in the possession of one of the suspects linked to the killings as gathered from sources, Owoseni declined comment, saying, “That would be all. I didn’t say so.”

The commissioner however added that the command under his watch would do everything to rid the state of criminals even as he did not disclose the identity of the arrested suspects.

By Mercy Kukah