A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday ordered the remand of two minors at the Gboko Remand Home for allegedly attempting to extort money from families of kidnapped victims.
The minors, aged 15 and 18, who reside at Idoma Street, Makurdi, were charged with conspiracy and attempted extortion, demanding with menace.
However, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Kevin Mbanongun, did not take their pleas for want of jurisdiction.
Mbanongun adjourned the matter until Sept. 22, 2025, and transferred it to the Juvenile Court for further mention.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Friday Kanshio, told the court that on Aug. 28, 2025, the Rapid Response Team of the Police Command in the state apprehended the minors and brought them to the Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi.
Kanshio said the officers explained that the children conspired and pretended to be the ones who had kidnapped two persons who were actually abducted by yet-to-be apprehended criminals in the state.
He said the children, with knowledge of the abduction, placed calls to the families of the victims and demanded N40 million.
Kanshio added that the children confessed to the crimes during police investigation.
He said their offences contravened Sections 97 and 293 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.
(NAN)