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  • Benue Assembly Confirms 8 Commissioner Nominees as Gov Ortom Appoints New Special Advisers

    Benue Assembly Confirms 8 Commissioner Nominees as Gov Ortom Appoints New Special Advisers

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday screened and confirmed eight Commissioner Nominees forwarded to it by Governor Samuel Ortom.

    The screening and confirmation exercise came on heels of the partial dissolution of the State Executive Council, SEC, by the the Governor.

    The Commissioner Nominees include Mr Kester Kyenge, Engr Jude Aungwa, Mr Williams Agbatse an Mr Mike Inalegu. Others are; Mr Benjamin Agber, Dr Jene Ajah, Dr Saawuan Tarnongu and Barr Terungwa Nguher respectively. 

    The Speaker of the Legislature, Mr Titus Uba in his remarks, urged the Nominees to live up to their expectations in the course of their new assignments. He acknowledged the commitment and determination of his colleagues in carrying out the exercise.

    Mean while, the Governor has approved the appointment of five new Special Advisers to serve in his administration. The new Special Advisers are; Mr Michael Mbakaan, Engr Richard Ujege, Mr Ade Nguhar,  Joshua Ogbole and Hon Otse Otokpa.

    In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Anthony Ijoho, says twenty five Special Advisers retained their appointments.

  • Operation Whirl Stroke Commander Expresses Readiness to Tackle Insecurity in Benue State

    Operation Whirl Stroke Commander Expresses Readiness to Tackle Insecurity in Benue State

    By Isaac kertyo, Makurdi

    The Military Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke in charge of Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, Major General Kelvin Aligbe has assured of the efforts by the troops to tackle insecurity in Benue State.

    The Commander who gave the assurance in an interview in Makurdi pointed out that the operation has recorded tremendous success in protecting lives and properties of the citizenry.

    Major General Aligbe who hinted that efforts are being stepped up to ensure peace, sued for support and cooperation from sister agencies as well as stakeholders to nib security challenge in the bud.

    The Commander contended that the operation will not rest on its oars to tackle all forms of criminal activities in Benue State to enable citizens go about unmolested.

    He expressed satisfaction over Federal Government’s commitment for providing the necessary tools to enable the troops discharge their duties efficiently.

  • Gov Ortom vows not to Succumb to Pressures in Defending Benue’s Territorial Integrity

    Gov Ortom vows not to Succumb to Pressures in Defending Benue’s Territorial Integrity

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State says he won’t succumb to pressures to deviate from God’s will in defense of the Benue territorial integrity from both external and Internal aggressors.

    He made this disclosure while addressing delegates at a conference organized by the NKST Synod Mkar, insisting that despite verbal and violent attacks on him by opponents, he will maintain his covenant with God.

    The Governor denied insulting President Muhammadu Buhari as it is being misconstrued by some persons, stating that he always pray for Mr President and advise him to listen to the cry of Nigerians over the high level of insecurity in the county and take proactive steps towards tackling it.

    Ortom expressed worry over what he described as divide and rule tactics adopted by the Presidency in tackling insecurity, lamenting that while herdsmen are carrying AK47, other agitators were being silenced.

    Ortom noted that he received report that twelve suspected Fulanis and twelve informants who attacked him while he was in his farm at Tyo Mu along Gboko road, Makurdi have been apprehended.

    He wondered what was delaying the prosecution of the aforesaid suspects.

    The Governor lauded the NKST members over their support to his administration, urging the Church to continue to pray for leaders at all levels.

  • Three Farmers Shot Dead By Armed Herders in Benue State

    Three Farmers Shot Dead By Armed Herders in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Suspected armed herdsmen have killed two persons at Tse Avine in Mbawar Council Ward and other in Hirnyam, Nyeev Council Ward both in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

    The victims include a 62 year old Farmer, Akaasaa Vingir, Aondowa Iorbee, 23 years old and Jonathan aged 54 years old.

    Investigation by Day Break revealed that the Herdsmen who stormed the communities in their numbers shot sporadically to scare the people before carrying out this heinous act.

    It was gathered that some of the displaced persons are currently taking refuge at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp, Ortese close to the scene of the event.

    A close relation of one of the slain victims, Matthew Asema who expressed shock over the gruesome murder of his brother, Implored Governments to be alive to their responsibilities of protecting lives and property of the citizens.

    Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, Benue State Command, DSP Sewuese Anene for comments failed as she could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

  • Rep Member decry plot to resist Open grazing law in Benue State

    Rep Member decry plot to resist Open grazing law in Benue State

    By Our Correspondent

    Member representing Makurdi/Guma in the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Mzondu, has decried plots to resist the passage of ban on open grazing law in Benue state noting that all involved should refrain from all antagonistic posture against Governor Samuel Ortom in the fight against open grazing.

    Particularly calling out Tiv people, the former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Steven Tsav and the former Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Titus Zam, Mzondu noted all those working against the Governor should be wary so as to escape the judgment of history.

    Mzondu in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi noted that some Tsav, Zam and their cotravelers, going by their posture appear to be agents of Miyetti Allah, the Fulani sociocultural organization and armed Fulani herdsmen who have been killing and terrorizing the people of the state.

    Recall that Tsav and Zam and a few others in a recent statement attempted to blackmail Governor Samuel Ortom on the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017.

    The law maker cautioned that the people of Iharev and the entire Tiv race with not forgive any Tiv personality who for any reason chooses to align with the armed herdsmen and their sponsors for political reasons.

    “It is my appeal that Zam, Tsav and other Tiv sons playing politics with the killing of Benue farmers by armed Fulani herdsmen retreat their steps and stand with Governor Ortom to salvage, not just Iharev communities but the entire Benue State from the hands of invaders and their pay masters.

    “It is only by doing so (retreating their steps) that history will be kind to them and record them as those that fought on the side of their people,” he stated.

    He reminded Zam and Tsav and their allies that their acts of chicanery are late in the day as Nigerians are all aware of the intentions of the armed Fulani herdsmen and their sponsors which tilts towards fulanisation and islamisation.

    “Therefore, no amount of blackmail and negative profiling of Governor Samuel Ortom will change the perception of the people of Benue State that he is a leader that has sacrificed his life and office for the liberation of his people.

    On the allegation that Governor Ortom used the anti-open grazing law to win election, Mzondu wondered whether the governors of other states and their legislators who passed a similar law are using theirs for election.

    “If one may ask, is Zam and Tsav aware that the issue of banning open grazing of cattle is no longer perculiar to Benue State. Did the Governors of those states and the legislators in their Houses of Assembly also promulgate the law for political reasons as they alluded of Governor Ortom whom they said did it to win election?”

    However, the law maker urged Zam and Tsav to take any Livestock Guard who breeches the law while carrying out their duties to task, stressing that the law banning open grazing has come to stay in the state and no amount of blackmail will lead to its repeal.

  • BNSG to Amend Anti Open Grazing Law to Provide Stiffer Penalties for Violators

    BNSG to Amend Anti Open Grazing Law to Provide Stiffer Penalties for Violators

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government is to amend the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to provide stiffer penalties for Violators.

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom made this disclosure at the Government House Makurdi when the Primate of the Aglican Comminion, Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba paid him a courtesy visit.

    The Governor noted that there was need to amend the law, adding that the fines prescribed were too meager, and easily letting the offenders off the hook and encouraging Violators to blatantly disobey it.

    Ortom opined that his administration will stand against Federal Government’s proposed agricultural settlement centers which he said was a deliberate attempt to annex farm lands for grazing of cattles.

    He averred that the Benue economy is being driven the Civil Service, complemented by farming which is badly affected by Herdsmen attacks. He enjoined the Federal Government to deal decisively with Herdsmen militia who are responsible for these heinous acts.

    Earlier Primite Ndukuba lauded the Governor for his commitment to the well-being of Benue people as well as provision of basic infrastructure amidst security and economic challenges.

  • Insecurity: Second Republic Minister Tasks NASS members From Benue State to Speak Out

    Insecurity: Second Republic Minister Tasks NASS members From Benue State to Speak Out

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Second Republic Minister of Power and Steel Development, Wantaregh Paul Unongo has tasked the National Assembly Members from Benue State to support Governor Samuel Ortom in speaking out over the high rate of insecurity in the state.

    The Elder Statesman who was speaking at the expanded Stakeholders meeting held at the Government House Makurdi, expressed disgust over the continued silence of the matter on the floor of the National Assembly.

    Unongo who expressed worry over the situation, disclosed that what the Governor was saying wasn’t a personal issue but a collective matter that was affecting the entire state.

    He implored the Federal Legislators to as a matter of urgent importance raise the issue on the floor of the National Assembly.

    The Former Minister admonished Governor Ortom to adopt dialogue as a means of resolving the challenge, even as called on the Presidency to understand the pains of the Governor and do the needful.

    Also speaking, the Senator representing Benue North West Senatorial District, Mr Orker Jev said Senators from Benue State are on the same page with Governor Ortom over security challenges affecting the state.

  • Eight Killed In Fresh Benue Attack

    Eight Killed In Fresh Benue Attack

    At least eight people have been killed in Yelewta community of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

    Witnesses said the killings occurred when traders were closing for the day.

    Chairman of Guma LGA, Caleb Aba, told newsmen in Makurdi by telephone that the victims were hacked to death.

    Aba said it was Yelewta market day and that the people had hardly closed for the day when the gun-welding invaders pounced on them, killing eight on the spot.

    “It was a market day and the people were still busy doing their business when they (attackers) launched the attack, shooting guns everywhere. In the end, eight people were killed, one abducted and has not been seen up till now,” he said.

    The chairman added that the injured had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

    Contacted, the State Secretary of Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Ibrahim Galma, said he was not aware of any such development.

    He also distanced members of his association from the killings.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, confirmed that six people were killed by gunmen.

    She said, “Yesterday, 24th August, 2021, at about 7:45pm, the police got information that unknown gunmen invaded Yelwata community and attacked the first compound that is nearest to the forest.

    “The policemen who were immediately sent to the area were able to repel them but regrettably before the police arrived, the gunmen had shot six persons they met in the first house.

    “The police took the six persons to the hospital and they were confirmed dead on arrival while two other person were still receiving treatment at the hospital.”

    Anene added that the Commissioner of Police, Akingbola Olatunji, has visited the community to condole with families who lost loved ones.

    He assured Yelwata community that the command will continue to support them.

  • Gov Ortom Lauds INEC Over Creation of Additional Polling Units in Benue State

    Gov Ortom Lauds INEC Over Creation of Additional Polling Units in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has put the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, a pat on the back for creating adding polling Units in the state.

    The Governor gave the commendation in Guma Local Government Area, during revalidation of his voter card at the Tse Ortom polling unit following split of his former unit.

    Ortom whostressed that the unit was closer to his family residence, Implored the people to find out from the Commission which is responsible for the exercise about their polling Units to enable them revalidate their voters cards.

    He noted that the creation of more units has brought development closer to the people as it would make voting easier. He urged the people who are eighteen years of age and above to register in the polling centers nearest to them.

    The Governor explained that the voter card was the only weapon through which the people could vote in credible leaders and vote out those who performed abysmally.

  • Three Farmers Killed by Suspected Armed Bandits in Benue State

    Three Farmers Killed by Suspected Armed Bandits in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Three persons have been reportedly killed by suspected armed bandits at Udei, Nyiev Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

    Informed sources told Day Break that the bandits shot the victims while they were working on their rice farm, killing no fewer than three persons.

    Those killed were Identified as Mr Tyogbea Uparegh, Raphael and Jerald Mnyam, brother to the Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State on Secondary and Tertiary Institutions, Mr Mathew Mnyam.

    Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser who condemned the killings, enjoined security operatives to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous act as well as intensify efforts towards preventing its reoccurrence.

    Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Sewuese Anene for comments as at the time of filing this report failed.