A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday ordered the remand of two minors at the Gboko Remand Home for allegedly attempting to extort money from kidnapped victims’ family.

The 15 and 18 years old respective minors who live at Idoma Street, Makurdi were charged with conspiracy and attempt to extort, demanding with menace.

However, the Chief Magistrate, Kevin Mbanongun did not take their pleas for want of jurisdiction.

Mbanongun adjourned the matter until September 22, 2025 and transferred the matter to Juvenile Court for further mention.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Friday Kanshio told the court that on Aug. 28, 2025, the Rapid Response Team of the Police Command in the state, apprehended the minors and brought them to the Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi.

Kanshio said the officers explained that the children conspired and pretended to be the ones who had kidnapped two persons who were actually abducted by yet to be apprehended criminals in the state.

The officers said that the children, with the knowledge that about the abduction of the victims, decided to place calls to the families of the kidnapped victims and demanded N40 million.

He said the children confessed to the crimes during a police investigation.

He also said that their offences contravened Sections 97 and 293 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

(NAN)