A Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi on Tuesday ordered that a teacher, Mernyi Christopher, who allegedly murdered three policemen, be remanded in prison custody, pending legal advice.

The police charged Christopher, who lives in Katsina-Ala town in Benue with criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, act of terrorism, and culpable homicide.

Magistrate Ajuma Igama, who did not take the plea of Mr. Christopher for want of jurisdiction, ordered the police to return the case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Igama adjourned the case until February 25, for further mention.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Sgt. Ato Godwin, told the court that the accused was arrested by a team of Operation Zenda led by Sgt. Tivsue Godwin following a manhunt for a notorious syndicate terrorising Katsina-Ala.

The syndicate, he alleged, on December 24, 2020, invaded the residence of the Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Alfred Avalumun, and killed three police officers on guard, and took away their AK-47 rifles.

He added that the suspect confessed to committing the crime, alongside one Aondofa Chekele and some others, at large.

The prosecution said an investigation into the matter was ongoing and prayed the court for an adjournment.

(NAN)