The blacksmiths, who were known as manufacturers of farming tools to agrarian communities in the state, were arrested by the police during their meeting.
Over 50 blacksmiths in Ishagev-ya, Kwande local government area of Benue State were arrested by the Nigerian policemen attached to Adikpo Police division in the state.
A source privy to the incident told SaharaReporters that the blacksmiths, who were known as manufacturers of farming tools to agrarian communities in the state, were arrested by the police during their meeting.
The source said: “The association of blacksmith, who manufactures big hoes, small hoes and other farm working tools for farmers in Ishagev-ya, Kwande LGA and farmers from other places also patronise them, were arrested as ordered by the DPO who also accused them of being cultists.
“The arrest took place at their annual party in Ajio, Ishagev-ya, where they celebrate their success, discuss challenges confronting them, find a way forward and many more, to strengthen the association.”
The source added that the police later charged them to pay at least N10,000 per head for their bail without any record of crimes, describing the payment as a means of extortion.
The source continued, “It is unfortunate that after the arrest, the victims were searched but nothing incriminating was found with them with they were forced to pay for their release in the name of bail.
“The DPO used the banner, designed for the party which was having pictures of different farm tools they produce for farm work to further advertise what they do, as an evidence against them.
“The banner, used by DPO to wich hunt these innocent people was completely different from the actual banner designed for the party just to incriminate them. DPO insisted that the banner in his possession was the reason for their arrested as it displaced different weapons which are not just for farm work but investigation later proved it was a setup by officers in collaboration with the same DPO to extort members of the association.
“As suspected cultists, I thought the right thing to do is to charge them to court with proofs you have against them but rather, Ten Thousand Naira (N10,000) was collected per each victim in the name of bail that we have been told is free. Some even paid more than Ten Thousand Naira to get their people out of the cell.”
When SaharaReporters contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Adikpo Police Headquarters for his comment, he said he was aware of the arrest.
He explained that he ordered his men to arrest them because the meeting was held without proper notice to the security operatives in the state but he claimed that no money was collected as bail to free the blacksmiths.
“After the arrest, we interviewed them and discharged them on bail. I was not aware of any money. I did not ask anybody to collect money from them. In fact, they were granted bail after the intervention of their Chief.”
Explaining what led to the arrest, the DPO said their gathering looked suspicious and the police stormed the place for security reasons.
“My men went there because their meeting was suspicious and in fact, they injured some of my men during the process,” he added.
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