The police in Benue on Thursday arraigned a 25-year-old man, Paul Ajio for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and belonging to an unlawful society.

Ajio, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge before a Makurdi Upper Area Court.

The prosecutor, Insp. Rachael Mchiave told the court that the defendant committed the offenses on Jan. 1 at Bala town in Gwer-West Local Government.

Mchiave said that the defendant was arrested by policemen attached to the Anti-Cultism Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department during a routine patrol.

She said that the defendant was arrested with a locally-made pistol and one cartridge.

Mchiave said the police also discovered that the defendant was a member of a cult that had been terrorizing Naka town and its environs.

The prosecutor urged the court to adjourn the case to enable the police to complete its investigation.

She said the offenses contravened Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Fire-Arms Special Provisions Act 2004 and Section 11(2) of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret-Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue State, 2007.

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The plea of the defendant was not taken.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Dooshima Ikpambese, remanded the defendant at the Federal Correctional Center, Makurdi, and adjourned the case until Feb.16 for mention.