Two youths have been arrested by the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG) over the alleged assault of a woman during a dispute over market levies in Gwer East Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as Terwase Aye Abere and Mayange Aondowase, are from Igbor Village in Gwer East.
The incident reportedly occurred after the woman told the suspects that she had not made any sales and was unable to pay the market levy demanded from her.
According to eyewitness accounts, the suspects allegedly became dissatisfied with her explanation and confronted her in an attempt to compel her to make the payment.
The confrontation reportedly left the woman injured, prompting her admission to a hospital for treatment.
The matter was brought to the attention of the Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Dr Joseph T. Har, who ordered the immediate arrest of the suspects.
The two men were subsequently taken into custody and questioned at the BSCPG facility in Makurdi.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly claimed that they were volunteers attached to the BSCPG command in Gwer East. They alleged that their Ward Commander, identified as Mr Tiletswen, and another individual, Mr Ipker, had instructed them to invite the woman to their office over an unresolved issue.
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They further claimed that after she refused to comply, they were allegedly instructed to arrest her by force.
Following the allegations, Har directed the BSCPG state commander to produce the officials mentioned by the suspects for questioning.
He also ordered that the two arrested men be transferred to the Police Headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Har warned against the impersonation or misuse of security positions to harass members of the public, stressing that security personnel must respect citizens’ rights while carrying out their duties.
The victim remains under medical care as investigations into the incident continue.
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