In a shocking development, the Benue State Police Command has arrested Dr. Ichor Tersagh Smart, a lecturer at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), for allegedly orchestrating an attempted murder plot targeting Mrs. Susan Anyagh, the wife of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chairman at the institution.
The arrest, confirmed in a detailed statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Anene Sewuese Catherine, has sent ripples through the academic community. SP Catherine provided a comprehensive account of the incident, which began on December 7, 2024, when Mrs. Anyagh was kidnapped along Otukpo Road, Makurdi, under harrowing circumstances.
According to the police report, Mrs. Anyagh was accosted by armed men who flagged down her car under the guise of seeking assistance. The attackers forced their way into her vehicle, held her at gunpoint, and directed her to drive toward an undisclosed location. The situation took a terrifying turn when the victim noticed Dr. Ichor, her husband’s colleague, standing by the roadside during the abduction. Desperately calling out to him for help, she was met with indifference as he allegedly ignored her plea and walked away.
The kidnappers later received a call from Dr. Ichor, during which he reportedly instructed them to kill Mrs. Anyagh. Panicked, the victim feared for her life as the ordeal escalated.
Acting swiftly on the initial report of the kidnapping, Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Steve H. Yabanet, mobilized patrol units and checkpoints to track the abductors and rescue the victim. Hours later, the police received an update that Mrs. Anyagh had been left unconscious by the roadside along Yandev-Ugbema Road after a brutal attack.
She was rushed to the Primary Healthcare Clinic in Ameladu, where she received medical attention. Upon regaining consciousness, she recounted the horrifying sequence of events, including being struck on the back of the neck with a vehicle jack after the assailants robbed her of ₦1,350,000.
Dr. Ichor’s involvement in the case became a focal point after the victim identified him as being connected to her assailants. The lecturer was promptly arrested, and the police have launched an in-depth investigation into the incident.
SP Catherine assured the public that justice would prevail, stating, “The investigation is ongoing, and we will ensure that all individuals involved in this heinous crime are brought to justice. Further details will be communicated as the case progresses.”
The arrest of a university lecturer in connection with such a violent crime has sparked widespread concern across the nation, particularly within the academic community. Questions are being raised about trust and safety within professional environments, as well as the extent to which personal disputes can escalate into criminal activities.
This case also underscores the importance of robust law enforcement and community vigilance in combating violent crime. As investigations continue, the public and stakeholders in the education sector await further updates, hoping for a resolution that ensures accountability and justice.
Mrs. Anyagh’s harrowing experience is a stark reminder of the need for collective efforts to address insecurity and uphold the sanctity of human life in all spheres of society.
