The quiet academic community of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi, formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, was recently shaken by a disturbing incident involving the alleged kidnapping of Mrs. Susan Anyagh, wife of the university’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter chairman, Paul Anyagh. The unfolding narrative reveals a shocking betrayal of trust, as police investigations point to the involvement of Dr. Ichor Tersagh, a lecturer at the same institution and a colleague of Mr. Anyagh, in orchestrating the abduction. This incident has not only jeopardized the safety of a faculty member’s family but has also cast a dark shadow over the university’s atmosphere of collegiality and intellectual pursuit.
Mrs. Anyagh’s ordeal began on a seemingly ordinary Saturday as she drove along Otukpo road in Makurdi. Having just collected N1.3 million from a customer at the NNPC mega fuel station in Kanshio, she was flagged down by individuals claiming to be in distress. Her compassionate nature led her to stop and offer assistance, a decision that would tragically alter the course of her day. The individuals swiftly seized the opportunity, forcing their way into her vehicle and brandishing a firearm. They directed her to drive towards the Wurukum area, initiating a harrowing journey into the unknown. As the terrifying events unfolded, Mrs. Anyagh spotted a familiar face – Dr. Ichor Tersagh, her husband’s colleague from the university. In a desperate plea for help, she beckoned to him, hoping for intervention. However, to her utter dismay, Dr. Tersagh turned his back and walked away, abandoning her to the mercy of her captors.
The subsequent details of Mrs. Anyagh’s ordeal paint a grim picture of her captors’ ruthlessness. According to her account, while being driven against her will, she overheard a chilling phone conversation between her abductors and Dr. Tersagh, in which he allegedly ordered her execution. This revelation added a layer of terror to her already precarious situation. Upon noticing a police checkpoint ahead, the kidnappers, fearing apprehension, reversed the vehicle and sought a secluded location. They then forced Mrs. Anyagh out of the car, robbed her of the N1.35 million she had collected earlier, and retrieved a car jack from the vehicle’s trunk. In a brutal act of violence, they struck her in the back of the neck with the jack, leaving her unconscious and abandoned on a bush path.
Fortunately, Mrs. Anyagh’s story did not end there. She was later discovered along Yandev-Ugbema road and promptly rushed to the Primary Healthcare Clinic in Ameladu for medical attention. Upon regaining consciousness, she recounted the horrifying events to the authorities, including the shocking detail of Dr. Tersagh’s presence at the scene of her abduction and his subsequent alleged order for her death. This testimony served as a crucial lead for the police, prompting a swift investigation into the matter.
The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, confirmed the arrest of Dr. Ichor Tersagh in connection with the kidnapping. The investigation is ongoing, aiming to uncover the full extent of Dr. Tersagh’s involvement and any potential accomplices. The university community and the wider public await the outcome of the investigation with bated breath, seeking justice for Mrs. Anyagh and a clear understanding of the motives behind this shocking act of betrayal. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety and security within the university environment and has left many questioning the nature of interpersonal relationships within the academic community.
The allegations against Dr. Tersagh, if proven true, represent a profound breach of trust and a disturbing departure from the expected conduct of an educator and colleague. The university community is grappling with the implications of this incident, as it exposes the potential for violence and betrayal even within seemingly secure environments. The case highlights the importance of vigilance and security measures, but it also underscores the need for a deeper understanding of the factors that can lead individuals to commit such acts. The ongoing investigation will hopefully shed light on the motivations behind Dr. Tersagh’s alleged involvement, providing some closure for the victim and the community while also serving as a stark reminder of the darker aspects of human nature.
