An Assistant Inspector of Nigeria Prisons Service attached to Otukpo
Division, John Itodo was in the early hour of Friday robbed at gun point
with his bride, Jesse and other family members while returning from
their traditional marriage.
Mr. Itodo, younger brother to Yemi
Itodo, an Abuja based Media Practitioner, had concluded a traditional
marriage rite with his bride in Etulo, a suburb of Katsina-Ala local
government of Benue State on Thursday and was to move to Otukpa in
Ogbadibo LGA same day for their wedding ceremony billed for Saturday.
The
vehicle carrying the newly married couple, however, broke down in
Aliade, Gwer LGA and the couple and some family members had to sleep
over at Aliade.
“As early as 4 am on Friday, we set out for
onward movement to Otukpa and the journey was smooth until we got to a
place called Atlo, after Otukpo.
“We saw a military check-point
by 6am with about 5 soldiers on uniform, fully armed, flagging down our
car and we parked”, a family source disclosed to our correspondent.
Speaking
further, the source said “We thought they were genuine soldiers because
they were kitted with Army Uniform and carrying weapons. They also
blocked the federal road with logs of wood and lanterns on both sides of
the road, to suggest it was a military or police check-point.
“One
of them entered our vehicle and asked the driver to move towards a path
in the bush while the rest unknown’ soldiers’ were following with legs.
“They
took us to a nearby bush and dispossessed us of a large sum of money
and all our belongings, including a professional video camera and photo
camera with the memory card which contained all our marriage activities
yesterday”.
He said the matter has been reported at the Otukpo Police Area Command.