Benue: Court remands farmer over alleged abduction, trafficking of 14-year-old boy

A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, has ordered the remand of a 38-year-old farmer, Aondowase Bebeshi, over the alleged abduction and trafficking of a 14-year-old boy.

Bebeshi, who resides opposite Township Hall in Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area, is facing charges bordering on abduction and child trafficking.

At the court proceedings on Tuesday, the defendant’s plea was not taken because the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case.

Consequently, the Chief Magistrate, Mr W.A. Orgba, ordered that Bebeshi be remanded at the Makurdi Correctional Centre pending legal advice.

The case was adjourned until November 16 for mention.

Presenting the case, the prosecutor, Inspector Jonah Uletu, alleged that the defendant took the 14-year-old boy from Jato-Aka to Benin City without the permission of his father.

Uletu told the court that the matter was reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Jato-Aka, by the boy’s father, identified as Mr Terfa Maya.

According to the prosecutor, Maya said his son left home for Holy Family Secondary School, Jato-Aka, on October 14, 2024, but failed to return.

He reportedly said efforts to locate the missing teenager were unsuccessful until information emerged that Bebeshi had allegedly taken him to Benin City without his knowledge or consent.

The prosecutor further alleged that the complainant’s attempts to persuade the defendant to return his son were unsuccessful.

Uletu added that the police later arrested Bebeshi, who allegedly admitted to the offence during interrogation.

The alleged offences are punishable under Section 13 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition), Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and Section 274 of the Benue State Penal Code Law, 2004.