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Tag: Benue state

Six killed, 3 soldier injured as troops engage gunmen in Benue community
Three soldiers have been wounded and six villagers killed by armed invaders in a fresh attack on Ikobi community in Apa LGA of Benue State.
Sources earlier told our correspondent in Makurdi that a soldier was killed and two of his colleagues were seriously injured after an encounter with gunmen who invaded the rural community at the weekend.
But the military confirmed that three soldiers were wounded in the encounter with bandits.
One of the locals said that soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) stationed at Agagbe responded to a distress call and that during the process they encountered the bandits at Tse-Abwa in Gwer West LGA
The lawmaker representing Apa State Constituency, Abu Umoru, confirmed the killings to our correspondent through telephone.
Umoru said, “It’s a confirmed story; people suspected to be herders invaded the Ikobi community and so far six lives have been lost within the past four days. They could be more. We had to put a call to OPWS, and the commander has mobilised soldiers to the community.
“People have fled their homes, so we can’t even know the exact number of casualties for now.”
Meanwhile, the police spokesperson in the state, SP Catherine Anene, said she did not have the information.
But, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) spokesperson, Flight Lieutenant Katty Audu, in a statement, confirmed the attack on Ikobi community and said three soldiers were wounded in the encounter with the armed herders.
He said, “Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke received information about an attack on Ikobi community on the 4th of February, 2023, at about 5pm and responded immediately. The gallant troops moved to the area and cleared the community. The rampaging armed herders fled towards Nasarawa State on sighting the troops.
“The situation, though dicey, has been stabilised. The operation continued the next day, 5th February, 2023, in adjoining communities. While the troops were moving towards Agagbe, they had contact with some bandits.
“The bandits fired at the troops and our troops engaged them with superior firepower that lasted for about 30 minutes. Three of our troops sustained various degrees of injury. The injured troops are currently receiving treatment.”
February 7, 2023
2023: Anybody supporting Atiku is an Enemy of Benue – Gov Ortom
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has lashed out at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Ortom noted that anybody supporting Atiku is an enemy of the Benue people.
Speaking when he hosted his colleagues from Rivers, Oyo, Abia, and Enugu states in Makurdi, the state capital, Ortom vowed never to back Atiku’s presidential bid due to the killings of Benue people by armed Fulani herders.
The governor vowed never to support a Fulani man in becoming Nigeria’s president.
He said: “To hell with Atiku and anyone supporting him. They should go and tell him. You want me to be slave for a Fulani. It’s better I die. Anybody supporting Atiku is an enemy of Benue. My people are being killed and you want me to be quiet. My tenure ends in May and you can do whatever you want if you think you have the powers. I have written my will. I will never support a Fulani man to become president.”
Ortom, Nyesom Wike, Seyi Makinde, and Okezie Ikpeazu have been against the PDP’s leadership following Atiku’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate.
The governors also demanded that Iyorchia Ayu resigns as PDP’s National Chairman.
They stressed that the North can’t produce the party’s presidential candidate and National Chairman.
November 7, 2022
Gunmen attack Benue community, kill 3
At least three people have been killed in a fresh attack by armed men on Tse-Ikyem community of Ukemberagya Gaambetiev District in LGA of Benue State.
Residents told our correspondent that the attack which happened around 4pm on Saturday left many other residents wounded.
A community leader, who preferred not to be named, said, “On 29th October, 2022, around 4pm, armed herders attacked and murdered Mr Solomon Ukoom, Mrs Eunice Torkwase Joe Kpei and Mr Mfeseer Iorbume.”
He added that many people were wounded during the attack at the same spot where two people were murdered last Sunday.
The police commd’s spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the attack, but said two persons were killed.
October 31, 2022
2023: Why I Would Have Worked For Peter Obi’s Presidency – Ortom
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said if he were not a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he would have worked for the victory of the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi.
He stated this on Wednesday in Abuja when he hosted Obi at his private residence.
“I’m in PDP and I am working for PDP but I tell you if I were not in PDP, you will see me working for Peter Obi but I am in PDP.
“Let’s see how things work out but the truth is that the Bible says a man can receive nothing except it is given to him,” the Benue governor said.
Governor Ortom said Obi may not have the wherewithal, but if God decides, no one can stop it.
While identifying Obi, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar of the PDP as the three frontline candidates, he urged Nigerians to elect the best among them without any sentiments.
He also urged Obi, Atiku, and Tinubu to meet and agree on one of them.
October 19, 2022
Uni Agric, other Areas Submerged as Flood wreck Havoc in Benue State
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
No fewer than one thousand persons have been reportedly rendered homeless as well as property worth millions of naira destroyed by flood due to heavy down pour in Makurdi the Benue State capital.
Checks by Day Break indicated that Federal University of Agriculture now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Annex along Otukpo road, Anchaver Agia street as well as Idye community have been flooded.
It was gathered that the premises of the aforementioned institution has been Submerged with all properties including vehicles. It was a similar situation on the Anchaver Agia street where rain water has covered all the street there by hampering both human and vehicular movement.
It was learned that the rain which lasted for several hours rendered thousands of people homeless and destroyed valuable items in the city.
A resident of the area, Mr Teryima Apuu lamented that they have been completely cut off from accessing other parts of the state capital as motorcycles can no longer pass through the Anchaver Agia street.
“We are appealing to Government to come and work on the Idye flood control channel to stop future occurrence.”
July 31, 2022
2023: PDP Guber Candidate in Benue State Promises to Harness Agric Potentials to Boost State’s Economy
By Isaac Kertyo Makurdi
Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic party, PDP, Hon Titus Uba has promised to improve the revenue base of the state and harness agricultural potentials to boost the state’s economy.
The PDP Flag Bearer who is the Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly made this promise while interacting with members of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Benue State Wing, maintained that he would bring his experience in the private sector as a trained Engineer to bear on the development of the state.
Hon Uba stated the importance of River Benue to the economy of the state, pledging to make Benue a commercial center of the North Central Region by dragging the river. He further hinted that his administration will tackle cases of flooding in the Makurdi Metropolis.
The Standard Bearer averred that a government led by him will collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other professional bodies to initiate policies and programs that would improve the the standard of education in the state.
Responding, the state Chairman, Nigeria Union Teachers, Benue State Wing, Mr Levi Akuma applauded the candidate for interacting with the union and promised to work for his victory in the next general elections.
The Leader of the NUT described the Speaker as a humble personality, stating that he is the only Governorship candidate in the state to recognize the union. He lauded Governor Samuel Ortom over the promotion of Teachers as well as Implementation of the minimum wage for civil servants.
July 17, 2022
University Don, Two Others Assassinated by Gunmen in Benue State
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
A Lecturer with the Federal Unversity of Wukari, Fred Akaayar and three others have been allegedly assassinated at Joortar, Mbterem in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State by yet to be identified gunmen.
Day Break learnt that the incident occurred about 8:pm while the trio were sitting at a joint close to Federal Quarantine checkpoint when the assailants numbering three came on a motorcycle and shot the them to dead.
Investigation further revealed that the Motorcyclists who came from Melabu direction operated for a period of five minutes, murdered the victims and left immediately through the same direction.
The reasons for the gruesome murder at the moment could not be ascertained, however, sources hinted that the community has witnessed criminal activities such as kidnapping among others in the area in recent times.
It was gathered that two of the victims, Ayange Apever until his death was the chairman, drivers association in Jootar while Mr ShiAondo Kachina was a taxi driver.
Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer Benue State, ASP Sewuese Anene to confirm the incident wasn’t successful as she was unreachable.
June 25, 2022
Gunmen Kill Lawmaker, Cousin in Benue State
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
A Legislator representing Orokam Ward Three in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, Mr Paul Ojile and his Cousin have been allegedly beheaded by herdsmen in the area.
Findings by Day Break indicated that the incident occurred when hunters engaged in searching for a community member who was alleged to have been kidnapped by suspected herders.
Piqued by the dasterdly act, the angry youths of the area blocked the major high way in the area for several hours, causing traffic rule.
Confirming the killings, the Chairman, Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Mr Samuel Onuh described the heinous act as unacceptable, explaining that the Victims were among the local hunters who had joined the Vigilant Group and some Police Operatives to rescue the man who was earlier kidnapped by suspected herdsmen.
The Chairman, Implored the Federal Government to address the security challenge in the area to enable the people go about their normal businesses.
When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer Benue State Command, ASP Sewuese Anene opined that two of the kidnappers have been apprehended, stressing that the kidnapped were rescued and have since been reunited with their families.
June 19, 2022
NANS Protest Against Prolong ASUU Strike in Benue State
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Benue State chapter on Monday staged a peaceful protest against the prolong strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities.
The students barricaded major streets in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, causing traffic jam as they moved round the town to register their grievances.
The group who carried placards with various inscriptions such as ” Education is a right, not a privilege” among others said they were in the streets to press home their demand for universities to be reopened.
Chairman of NANS in Benue State, Comr Matthew Faasema who spoke to Day Break in an interview lamented that ” we are here in the streets to register our grievances over the prolong ASUU strike. We resolved during our congress in Sokoto recently to stage a nation wide protest”.
Comr Faasema who blamed the Federal Government over its failure to Implement the agreement it had entered into with ASUU, maintained that the position of the union is for the best interest of the Nigerian students.
“This is not the first time, year in year out, ASUU is going on strike. We are making our demands very clear to the Federal Government that this is what we want, we want to go back to the class”.
May 23, 2022
Catholic Church Suspends Priest for Joining 2023 Guber Race
The Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Gboko, the Most Reverend William Avenya, has suspended a priest, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, from public ministry for getting involved in partisan politics.
The priest is a Benue State governorship contender on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
His suspension was contained in a letter to all Priests, Religious and Laity, Catholic Diocese of Gboko, dated May 20, 2023 and signed by the Bishop. It is titled, ‘Suspension of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia from Sacred Ministry.’
Part of the letter read: “I write to communicate to you the suspension of my priest, Revd. Fr. Hyacinth lormem Alia from public ministry after series of admonitions to him.
“The Mother Church does not allow her clerics to get involved in partisan politics on their own. You are aware that my son, your brother and your priest has purchased the party forms to contest for the Office of the Governor of Benue State under the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), which is totally against our vocation.
“Therefore, to respond to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the Church in the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, I have suspended him from the exercise of sacred ministry.
“This canonical suspension takes effect from the moment it is communicated to him and lasts until he ceases from contumacy.”
Reacting to the suspension of the priest, the Head of Media and Publicity, Alia 2023 Gubernatorial Organization, Mr. Kula Tersoo, in a statement, described the development as ‘a normal practice of the church’.
May 22, 2022