By Ukan Kurugh 

There is growing anxiety in Benue State over the mysterious disappearance of Terkura Msonga, who was reportedly last seen in police custody in Gboko. Arrested in August 2024, he was said to have been transferred to Operation Zenda, after which all traces of him vanished.

His family now demands answers.

Anguish and uncertainty have gripped a family in Benue State following the reported disappearance of their only son, Terkura Msonga, under circumstances they describe as troubling and unresolved.

Terkura, a native of Zaki Biam, had moved to Gboko in search of greener pastures and was living in Mkar at the time of the incident. According to family sources, he had taken up farm work with an acquaintance shortly before the events that led to his arrest.

On August 27, 2024, his journey reportedly took a dramatic turn when he was intercepted by a group of youths while returning from the farm on a motorcycle said to belong to his employer. He was subsequently taken to the “A” Division Police Station in Gboko.

Sources allege that his arrest followed a complaint linked to the same individual. He was later transferred to Operation Zenda, a police tactical unit with an outpost at Kusaki in Yandev.

What has baffled the family, however, is that others allegedly connected to the incident, including a female companion and the motorcycle, were said to have been released shortly after intervention. Terkura, they insist, was not.

From that point, his trail went cold.

His mother, Monica Msonga, described by relatives as a struggling rural woman, reportedly began a desperate search when she could no longer reach her son. According to the family, inquiries made through individuals involved in the case indicated that he was still in custody at the Operation Zenda facility.

In a bid to secure his release, the family said they engaged a lawyer through intermediaries. However, they claim access to the facility was repeatedly denied, with explanations ranging from security concerns to operational restrictions.

Time passed, but there was no breakthrough.

In March 2026, the search took a new turn as Monica reportedly travelled to Makurdi, moving from one office to another, including police formations and correctional facilities in search of any record of her son.

According to her account, none was found.

The development has raised serious concerns among the family, who are questioning the circumstances surrounding his arrest, detention, and the lack of official information about his status.

As of press time, the Benue State Police Command are yet to publicly confirm the whereabouts of Terkura Msonga or respond in detail to the claims.

For now, the questions remain unanswered and a family continues to wait.