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Tag: Benue

  • Abductors of Benue Information Commissioner Demand N60 Million Ransom

    Abductors of Benue Information Commissioner Demand N60 Million Ransom

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    The unknown armed men who kidnapped the Benue State Commissioner of Information Arts and Culture, Mathew Abo, last Saturday in Zaki-biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, are demanding N60 Million ransom.

    The kidnappers made this demand on Saturday while speaking with a family member of the abductee via phone call.

    The source of the information who pleaded anonymity due to security reasons, disclosed that the abductors resorted to torturing, Mr Abo to press home their demand.

    According to the source, the kidnappers called and placed their phone on loud so that their beating of the Commissioner and his cries for help could be heard.

    Day Break’s checks indicated that the kidnappers came on four motorcycles, ordered everyone in the house including the Commissioner’s wife and children to lie face down, while they took him away to an unknown destination.

    The source further maintained that the abductors compelled the commissioner at gun point to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycle who took him away.

    Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia while reacting to the incident at the IBB square, venue of the tribunal’s victory reception organized for him by the APC, Benue State Chapter, gave the abductors of the commissioner limited time to release him.

  • Gunmen Abduct 11 Passengers in Attack on Benue Link Bus

    Gunmen Abduct 11 Passengers in Attack on Benue Link Bus

    By   Milcah  Tanimu

    Gunmen attacked a Benue Link bus along the Ogbokolo-Otukpa road in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue, abducting 11 passengers. The driver and four passengers managed to escape during the attack, which occurred around 10 pm.

    The kidnappers initially demanded ₦60 million as ransom but later reduced it to ₦16 million for the release of the abducted passengers. This incident follows a similar one on September 10 involving two buses from the same transport company, where 28 people were kidnapped. So far, 26 have been released, while two remain in captivity.

    Omale Omale, the Commissioner for Power, Energy, and Transport, confirmed the incident but stated that details are still sketchy. Among the abducted passengers is a staff member of the Makurdi Zonal Centre . The Zonal Director, Pam Nyam, has informed the police and requested urgent action to rescue the abducted passengers.

  • Gov Alia Denies Approving Benue Lands for Construction of Colonies

    Gov Alia Denies Approving Benue Lands for Construction of Colonies

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has denied the allegation that he approved some portions of Benue land for the construction of Fulani colonies, describing it as fake news.

    The Governor who was reacting to allegation by the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the state that he approved Benue Lands for the construction of Fulani colonies, called on Benue people to disregard the story.

    Fr Alia who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, in a statement noted thus: ” Our attention is drawn to a story making headlines on the social media that Governor Hyacinth Alia, has included Benue in the list of states to get Fulani colonies”.

    He explained that the the Governor’s desire is to return the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their ancestral homes as soon as possible to enable them continue with their farming.

    According to the statement, Federal Government under the leadership of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has agreed to sponsor the reconstruction of new homes for the Internally Displaced Persons.

    Mr Kula noted that “the homes are going to be built in cluster formats to enable our people to live more closely with each other and to experience more stability. Be rest assured that in Benue, the homes are for our people and not for any colony.”

    He assured that Governor Hyacinth Alia will not do anything to undermine the goodwill he has gotten from the people of the state, adding that the Governor meant well for Benue citizens and as such, he would always put them first.

  • Flood: Benue Residents Implored to Move to Safer Areas

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Residents of Makurdi, the Benue State capital have been admonished to relocate to Safer grounds to avoid being cut up in the impending flood.

    Commissioner in charge of Ministry of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change in Benue State, Odo Ogwu gave this counsel when he visited Greater Makurdi Water Works, banks of River Benue among other areas, few days after assuming duty as Commissioner.

    Mr Ogwu stated that in view of warnings from relevant authorities regarding the impending flood, there is need for residents living within the river banks to relocate to safer areas to avoid being affected by the disaster.

    To this end, the Commissioner assured that the ministry is putting in place mechanisms to reduce the impact of the flood through opening up of drainage channels that have blocked water ways to allow free flow of water, adding that government is committed to improving sanitation in the state.

    It could be recalled that National Emergency Management Agency, NAMA, and other relevant authorities had warned the affected states, including Benue about the release of water from the Cameron’s lagdo dam this year.

  • Benue Govt to Revamp Governor’s Cup Competition

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government has approved the resuscitation of the Governor’s Cup Competition in the state which is to begin this year.

    Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia spoke through the Director of Sports in Benue State, Mr Paul Nongo at a football stakeholders summit held in Makurdi, which was organized by the Benue State Football Association.

    According to the Director, Government has also approved the renovation of the Aper Aku stadium, adding that the present administration is poised to repositioning the sports industry in the state for the benefit of all and sundry.

    He lauded the Chairman, Benue State Football Association, Barr Paul Ede and his team for the steps taken towards uplifting football in the state.

    In his remarks, the Chairman Benue State Football Association, Barr Paul Ede noted that the new board was ready to take football in the state to higher heights, stressing that he interacted with stakeholders to enable him achieve his target.

    The Chairman hinted that arrangements have reached an advanced stage to acquire 10,000 footballs with eight coaches to be sponsored for training in schools for effective service delivery.

  • Benue Anti-Open Grazing Law Still In Force – Ortom

    Benue Anti-Open Grazing Law Still In Force – Ortom

    The Benue State Government has disclosed that the Benue law against open Grazing still stands despite suspending the activities of the implementing agents, the Benue Livestock Guards.

    The state government through the Special Adviser on Media Mr. Terver Akase yesterday said It had become pertinent to clarify the misconceptions regarding the decision of the Benue State Security Council to suspend operations of the state Livestock Guards for two weeks.

    He explained that the Benue State Security Council only suspended the operations of the state Livestock Guards for two weeks.

    He said the suspension of the Livestock Guards was only for a grace period which became necessary to allow for a reduction in the influx of cattle into the state.

    “As Governor Samuel Ortom stated while briefing the press at the end of the State Security Council meeting of Tuesday, April 11, 2023, the action is part of measures to ensure that all those who invaded the state with cattle leave, so that Benue people would have peace and go about their legitimate and lawful businesses.

    “We must stress that the enforcement of the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law is still in full force and anyone who flouts the law at the expiration of the two weeks grace period will be apprehended and prosecuted.

    “Governor Ortom once again appreciates the people of Benue State for their support since the enforcement of the law commenced in 2017,” the statement read in part.

  • Scores Feared Killed As Suspected Herdsmen Attack Benue IDPs

    Scores Feared Killed As Suspected Herdsmen Attack Benue IDPs

    The Benue State Police Command has confirmed another attack on one of the Internal Displaced Person (IDP) camps at Agan in the Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue with many killed by suspected herdsmen.

    The police spokesperson, DSP Sewuese Anene in a telephone conversation with our correspondent in Benue State, confirmed last night attack which she said claimed many lives at the IDP camps but the casualty figure is yet to be determined.

    DSP Sewuese further added that the commissioner of police, Wale Abasse will visit the scene of the attack very early in the morning to clarify what happened, the casualty figures but response team has already been deployed to the area.

    This attack followed the killing of a traditional ruler in Apa Local Government Area of Benue earlier in the week along with many others before the attackers moved to the Otukpo Local Government Area on Wednesday, killing 46 persons including a 33-year-old son of the local government chairman and now this at an IDP camp Makurdi, the state capital.

  • Dangote Disburses Scholarship Funds to Coal Communities In Kogi, Benue

    Dangote Disburses Scholarship Funds to Coal Communities In Kogi, Benue

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Dangote Group of Companies has disbursed scholarship funds to members of host coal communities in Benue and Kogi States.

    The Head of Dangote’s mining operation in Benue, Mr. Dillip Taman, said the scholarship was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of the company, adding that the company takes the plights of the host communities very seriously.

    The exercise which is part of the company’s annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme for host communities is kick-starting several other projects contained in the Community Development Agreement.

    This according to the release made available to Journalists by Mallam Abubakar in Lokoja, is coming barely one year into coal mining operation at Effeche Akpalli in Ugbokolo Ward of Okpokwu Local Government of Benue State.

    In Ankpa, Kogi State, scholarship fund was also distributed to members of the coal communities.

    In the same token, the Dangote Cement Plant in Gboko also disbursed scholarship funds to host communities in Benue State.

    In 2022, Group President of the Dangote Industries Limited Aliko Dangote had announced series of scholarship schemes for communities hosting the Dangote Sugar Refinery in Numan, Adamawa State.

    In Benue, ten members of the Effeche community who are currently studying in higher institutions of learning benefitted from the fund.

    The company’s contribution to the educational development in Nigeria has been described as immeasurable having constructed multimillion naira edifices and hostels in some selected universities in the country.

    The company is adjudged to be Africa’s largest donor, and second biggest employer of labour, after government in Nigeria.

    The chairperson of the Okpokwu Local Government Amina Audu, who was represented by the Leader of the Legislative Council, urged the beneficiaries to use the money efficiently, while urging the company not to relent in the annual scholarship scheme.

    A community leader Chief Samuel Ameh said the community was desirous of ensuring a smooth operational turf for the company, saying a peaceful coexistence was a major prerequisite for profitability and community development.

  • Gunmen invade Benue village, kill 3 residents

    Gunmen invade Benue village, kill 3 residents

    Three villagers have been reportedly killed at the weekend by armed invaders who launched a fresh attack on Adaka community in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.
    Residents said that the attacks which happened on Saturday caused pandemonium in the community even as many of the villagers have deserted their homes for fear of further invasion.
    The locals explained that the attackers besieged the community and shot sporadically during which they killed three people and left several others injured.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, did not respond to calls or text message sent to her telephone.
    But, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba, the Benue State Special Adviser on Security Matters said to journalists in Makurdi, “On Friday, Adaka community reported that one of their sons, who reside there went out with some two persons who came to with an intent to rent a piece of land to farm rice. He left with the two people to show them the land. But the people noticed that he never came back up till the evening of that day.
    “The community raised the alarm, they alerted me. I got in touch with security personnel patrolling the area, this includes the police and military. I called them. But they said they did not have information on any missing persons. I was informed of the development at night, so we waited till Saturday morning and sent out patrols including members of the community. In the course of the patrol, we discovered the corpses of the missing three persons brutally killed obviously with machete.
    “And the community is suspecting that herdsmen murdered the victims. This is because the herdsmen have been operating in their vicinity. Additionally, just last week, the herdsmen alleged that some of their cows which invaded the people’s rice farms were killed in that community. The Commissioner of Police is investigating the incident. The community is suspecting that the gruesome murder of the three was a reprisal,” Hemba posited.

  • Safe School Initiative: NSCDC Unveils 100 Female Squad In Benue

    Safe School Initiative: NSCDC Unveils 100 Female Squad In Benue

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) in Benue State on Wednesday launched 100 Female Strike Force (FSF) to beef up the federal government’s Safe School Initiative (SSI).

    Our correspondent reports that the command also graduated 350 specially trained officers on weapon handling, internal security and counter terrorism/insurgency to ensure peace in the state.

    The state commandant of NSCDC, Dr Phillip Okoh, in his address during the Passing Out Parade of the 450 personnel, noted that with the fresh crop of the officers and men, the command would become more formidable in handling various insecurity challenges in the state.

    Okoh added that the essence of the training was to reposition the NSCDC to deliver optimally in its function of maintaining law and order, the protection of critical national assets and infrastructures, equipping its special agro rangers’ force in tackling the menace of herders-farmers conflicts as well as stop cattle rustling among other things. 

    Meanwhile, the representative of the NSCDC Commandant General, Nuraine Adekunle, who is in charge of manpower development at the headquarters, Abuja, enjoined the graduates to ensure discipline in proper handling of the weapons.