A group of political thugs, reportedly arriving in vehicles displaying Governor Hyacinth Alia’s image, held 16 judges of the Benue State High Court and the Customary Court of Appeal hostage for nearly five hours on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
The incident occurred at the Benue State High Court Complex, where the judges were trapped inside the Chief Judge’s chambers from around 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. before the assailants finally left.
The unrest began earlier in the morning when several High Court judges gathered at the Judiciary Guest House for a meeting regarding recent developments involving the State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.
Eyewitnesses reported that a senior government official, aware of the meeting, allegedly summoned the thugs to disrupt the gathering.
Upon learning of the imminent threat, Justice Ikpambese advised his colleagues to leave the venue and assemble at his chambers within the High Court Complex.
The timing of their departure coincided with the arrival of the thugs, who immediately attacked security personnel at the Guest House entrance.
The High Court’s Public Relations Officer, Stephen Tsegba, was also assaulted before being rescued by individuals who recognized him.
The attackers then moved to the High Court Complex, forcing their way onto the premises while security operatives, including heavily armed police officers, stood by without intervening.
Equipped with iron rods and clubs, the thugs vandalized the Chief Judge’s office door, attempting to break in before armed guards managed to block their entry.
Meanwhile, the group surrounded the complex, seemingly awaiting further instructions.
The standoff ended around 2:30 p.m. when the Makurdi Police Zonal Commander arrived and escorted the trapped judges, including Justice Ikpambese, out of the premises, assuring them that the assailants had dispersed.
