Levy Dispute: Woman Hospitalised After Alleged Assault in Igbor Market

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG) have arrested two men for allegedly assaulting a woman trader at Igbor Market over a dispute concerning market levy in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

The suspects, identified as Terwase Aye Abere and Mayange Aondowase, both from Igbor village, reportedly approached the woman to collect market levy. The woman, however, told them that she had not made any sales and could not afford to pay.
The men allegedly interpreted her response as a refusal to pay and attacked her, reportedly stripping her half-naked and beating her until she became unconscious.
A local source who witnessed the incident told journalists by telephone, on condition of anonymity, that the suspects allegedly beat the woman severely and dragged her half-naked through the market.
The source said the woman was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment, where doctors were attending to injuries sustained during the assault.
The incident was confirmed by the Media Aide to the Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Comrade Mfa Igirgi.
In a statement issued and made available to journalists in Makurdi, Igirgi said reports presented to his principal indicated that the suspects told investigators they were acting on the instructions of their Ward Commander, identified as Tiletswen, and Ipker.
According to the suspects, the commanders allegedly directed them to bring the woman to their office over an unresolved issue.
“They were said to have explained that after the woman refused to comply with the instruction, they reported back by phone and were allegedly told to arrest her ‘even by force.’”
Igirgi said the suspects further claimed that the confrontation that followed resulted in the woman sustaining injuries and being admitted to hospital.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, condemned the alleged assault and directed the State Commander of the BSCPG to produce the commanders mentioned by the suspects for interrogation.
Speaking with journalists in Makurdi by telephone, Har said an eyewitness, who is a lawyer, reported that the men were regularly involved in collecting market tickets, which he described as illegal tickets.
He said the woman allegedly refused to pay, leading to the confrontation and the dragging of the woman.
“According to the story of the boys, they said the woman has a case to answer in the office. They asked her to come. She refused to come. And that’s why they want to force her to go to the office.
“For whatever reason, they have no such rights. So I have asked them (BSCPG) to prepare a letter to hand them (suspects) over to the police for prosecution. I’m going to hand them over to the police to charge them to court and they will go to prison.”
Har said that after the matter was reported to him, he immediately dispatched officers, including the BSCPG Commander for Gwer East, Master Warrant Officer Moses Mhoon, who rushed to the scene, apprehended the suspects and brought them to Makurdi for detention.
He added that the woman was receiving treatment in hospital.
The security adviser warned individuals posing as security operatives, particularly in rural communities, against harassing or intimidating members of the public.
“The law will catch up with anyone hiding under the cover of security to harass or intimidate citizens.
“Security personnel must always adhere to the voluntary principles of human rights and security in the discharge of their duties.”
Har also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.
“Timely information saves lives and protects property,” he added.