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Tag: Benue state

  • Stop Trivializing Governance, Benue People Deserve Better Leadership, Group Tells Ortom

    Stop Trivializing Governance, Benue People Deserve Better Leadership, Group Tells Ortom

    The Benue Proactive Coalition For Good Governance (BPCGG) has taken a swipe at Governor Samuel Ortom for his constant fixation on President Muhammadu Buhari saying it is a ploy to cover up the many failures of his administration.

    Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, Executive Director of the group, Comrade Timothy Tor urged Gov Ortom to be worried about the legacy he would live behind for the people of Benue.

    “It is unfortunate that having lost the good will of his people, Ortom would turn himself into a bug of the presidency, using his failure to provide leadership as an escape window”.

    The group insisted that the security challenges created in Benue were instigated by the governors lack of direction, recalling how he empowered the most dreaded militia Terwase Akwaza AKA Gana with the most lucrative government revenue consultancy.

    “What other gaffe could be more glaring and embarrassing than for a sitting governor to hobnob with such a man who has killed thousands of his people? But Gov Ortom did”, the group queried.

    The group asked him to explain why his colleagues in neighbouring states such as Kogi, Nassarawa are delivering good governance in the midst of herdsmen/farmers clashes.

    “If Governor Zulum who is facing the greatest security challenges in Borno State could awe Nigerians with such positive achievements, Ortom should humble himself to take a crash course in good governance. Dropping President Buharis name to curry long lost good will can not cure Ortom of his increasingly manifesting deficiencies”, the group maintained.

    It further said it has taken the liberty to summarise Gov Ortom administration failures in the following posers:

    “Where there no herdsmen/farmers clashes before Ortom became governor in Benue?

    “Would Gov Ortom be able to govern the state if the federal government withdraws her security agencies in the state?

    “Was it President Buhari who asked Ortom to award the largest revenue consultancy to the most dreaded militia, the late Terwase Akwaza AKA GANA?

    “Was it President Buhari who sent the Tiv Militia that confessed to have butchered their fellow Tiv kinsmen only recently?

    “Why did Gov Ortom not make a media outing on those confessions made by fellow Tiv militia?

    “Can Governor Ortom account for the monthly security votes other than it’s diversion on media propaganda?

    “Can Ortom name one single project his administration has started and completed within the last six years?

    “Is President Buhari responsible for the failure of Gov Ortom to pay salaries and pensions? How does herdsmen affect payment of salaries remains a puzzle only Ortom can unravel.

    “Can Gov Ortom say President Buhari is the reason the road to his home town is not motorable?

    “⁸Is President Buhari responsible for the blatant withholding of local government funds in outright disregard for local government autonomy?

    “Benue people are not going to forgive him if he does not turn a new leaf in good time”

    “Until Governor Ortom is able to address above deficiencies, he will continue to deal with the declining goodwill of Benue people no matter how much he drops President Buharis name,” the group asserted.

    It maintained that the role of chief security officer of a state is beyond superintendenting over the misappropriation of public funds and urge Governor Ortom to bother on what to tell Benue people when they finally call him to render account of his misgovernance.

  • Gov Ortom Lauds NCDC Over Fight Against insecurity in Benue State

    Gov Ortom Lauds NCDC Over Fight Against insecurity in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has lauded the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp, NCDC, over its fight against insecurity in the state.

    The Governor gave this commendation when the new Commandant of the Corp in Benue State, Mr Philip Okoh paid a courtesy visit to him at the Government House Makurdi.

    He stressed that the Agro Rangers of the organization have distinguished themselves in the fight against banditry and criminality in the state.

    Ortom promised to sustain the support of his administration to the Corp as well as other security operatives to enable them carry out their duties more efficiently.

    The Governor stated that the implementation of the shoot at sight order by President Muhammadu Buhari against people who illegally carry AK47 rifles would help in no small measure in tackling security challenge in Nigeria.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant of the Corp, Mr Okoh said his mission in the state was to ensure peace and order. He appealed to the Governor to support the Command to enable it address some of the challenges confronting it.

  • Nigerian Army Intercepts Five Trucks With Solid Minerals, 73 Young Men, 47 Motorcycles in Benue State

    Nigerian Army Intercepts Five Trucks With Solid Minerals, 73 Young Men, 47 Motorcycles in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted five trucks loaded with fourty seven motorcycles and seventy three young men at the Agan toll gate in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

    The trucks it was gathered also conveyed solid minerals such as zink among others from Plateau State to Portharcut, the Rivers State capital.

    Speaking to Journalists in an interview, Lt. Col. D. Alhassan explained that the personnel of the Army who were deployed to the toll gate intercepted the said trucks through a tip off.

    Lt Col Alhassan noted that neither rifles nor ammunitions were found after a thorough search contrary to the rumors being peddled the round, adding that the seventy three young men would be profiled.

    The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engineer Benson Abounu who also visited the area expressed shock over the decision of the young men who said they were traveling to Imo State despite security challenges bedeviling the state.

    Speaking while fielding questions from Newsmen on behalf of the interceptors, Mr A. Emmanuel contended that they were traveling for greener pastures. 

  • Ortom, Akume, Suswam Unite to Tackle insecurity in Benue State

    Ortom, Akume, Suswam Unite to Tackle insecurity in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Worried over an upsurge in security situation in Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom has held a closed door meeting with his predecessors, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Sen George Akume and Senator representing Benue North East Senatorial District, Sen Gabriel Suswam to tackle insecurity in the state.

    The meeting of the trio has put paid to the rumor being peddled the round that Governor Ortom and Senator Akume have drawn a battle line since Akume lost his bid to make it to the Senate for the fourth time.

    Governor Ortom who briefed Journalists shortly after the meeting which held at the Government House Makurdi, maintained that they discussed ways to stamp out criminality, banditry, insurgency, armed Herdsmen, kidnapping as well as cult related activities.

    He averred that Benue State belongs to all and it was incumbent on all the leaders to secure the land for future generations.

    The Governor posited that the meeting observed among other things that the Fulanis had misinterpreted the Anti Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, hence the need to educate, sensitize and create awareness on the content of the law.

  • Insecurity in Benue State Worries Sen Suswam as Killings Continue in Sankera

    Insecurity in Benue State Worries Sen Suswam as Killings Continue in Sankera

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Disturbed by the escalating security situation in Benue North East Senatorial District where thousands of lives have been reportedly lost, Sen Gabriel Suswam who represents th zone at the weekend urged the Militia gang in Sankera to lay down their arms for peace to reign.

    Sen Suswam made this call at Ugba, the headquarters of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State during the burial ceremony of the former Deputy Chairman of the local government, late Mrs Hany Kyenge.

    The Lawmaker who condemned in strong terms the killing of innocent people by bandits averred that there is no society where youths are allowed to take control, lamenting that killings take place in the aforementioned area on a daily basis.

    ” There is no society where the youths would be allowed to take control” pointing out that ” Sankera is known for Killings on a daily basis. Thirty seven persons were last week gun down at Shikaan by the Militia gang”, he said.

    The Senator enjoined the people of Sankera comprising Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas to look for ways of ending insecurity in the area.

    The Parliamentarian implored his constituents to throw their weight behind Community Volunteer Guards to reduce criminality within the axis in particular and Benue State in general.

    It could be recalled that bandits penultimate week attacked a Community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, killing no fewer than thirty seven persons.

  • Suspected Herdsmen Attack Another Internally Displaced Persons, Kill Five, Abduct Two in Benue State

    Suspected Herdsmen Attack Another Internally Displaced Persons, Kill Five, Abduct Two in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Barely two weeks after suspected Militia Herdsmen attacked and killed over ten Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, at the Abagena camp in Guma Local Government, armed bandits have shot dead five IDPs and abducted two Persons in Gwer-west Local Government Area of Benue State.

    Findings by Day Break showed that the victims who are currently taking refuge in one of the camps in the local government went home to carry food items for their families who are also in the camp where suspected Militia herders attacked and killed five of them, abducting two others.

    The villages that came under attack include; Tse Shishim and Tse Iber in Ahumbe, Saav , Ukusu Council Ward and Mbaatan, Kunav, Sengev Council Ward of Gwer-west Local Government.

    Reacting to the incident, the Chairman, Gwer-west Local Government Council, Mrs Grace Igbabon lamented the sustained attacks on some communities by Suspected Herdsmen.

    She urged security agents to intensify surveillance to prevent the attackers from unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens and to allow farmers go about their farming activities.

    The Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, DSP Sewuese Anene was unavailable for comments on the killings as at the time of filing this report.

  • Again, Gunmen kill two Farmers in Benue State

    Again, Gunmen kill two Farmers in Benue State

    … as Youths Barricaded Makurdi-Lafia High way with Dead Bodies

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Youths in Benue State have Barricaded the Makurdi-Lafia high way to protest the killing of two Farmers at Tse Tule, Yerwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State by Suspected Militia Herders.

    Yerwata is a border town between Benue and Nassarawa States.

    The victims who were twins, Terfa and Mathew Igbian were allegedly massacred while on their way to the farm at 9.30 in the morning.

    In a related development, Mr Akume Ityo was also murdered by alleged stray bullets from Men of Operation Whirl Stroke while heading to the scene of the incident to maintain law and order.

    Day Break learned that the youths of the area used the dead bodies and blocked the Makurdi-Lafia high way to protest the aforementioned Killings.

    It was gathered that men of the Operation Whirl Stroke from Udey on getting information about the protest, swiftly moved to the area to disperse the rampaging youths.

    Efforts to contact the Spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Sewuese Anene for comments proved abortive as she could not be reached.

  • Reps to investigate fresh killings by ‘armed herders’ in Benue

    Reps to investigate fresh killings by ‘armed herders’ in Benue

    The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate killings in communities in Benue State by suspected herdsmen.

    Following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Mark Gbillah on Wednesday, the green chamber resolved to embark on the probe.

    Also, the Ministry of Defence and Army were mandated to deploy more personnel and resources to the operation whirl stroke currently operating in the region.

    Gbillah said 17 persons were killed by suspected herdsmen in Mbamondu area of the state on Sunday.

    He said in Gwer West, Guma, Agatu and Markurdi, over 70 people have been murdered over the past 3weeks.

    Gbillah also queried the efficiency of the operation whirl stroke in the region, saying the military has failed to stop attacks on the communities despite the presence of the military.

    He alleged that the killings are linked to the anti-open grazing law of the Benue state government.

    Other resolutions by the House include; mandating the committees on Army and Police Affairs to investigate allegations that police refused to support the state government in the enforcement of the anti-grazing law.

    The lawmakers also asked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to the displaced persons.

    The House also urged the federal government to improve the situation of IDP camps across the country.

  • Benue Police confirm attacks on communities in Gwer West LG

    Benue Police confirm attacks on communities in Gwer West LG

    The Police in Benue have confirmed attacks by unknown gunmen on communities in Gwer West Local Government Area of the State.

    We had earlier reported that gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen earlier attacked Tse Amgbem community near Aondoana in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.

    It was gathered that the incident occurred on Monday morning when the assailants invaded the community.

    Also, an eyewitness told journalists that 11 persons were slaughtered, while others sustained different degree of injuries.

    Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Catherine Anene, said the command was yet to receive full details of the incident.

    Anene said that the attack was carried out on Mbamondu and Vengav, in Avihijime council ward in Udam and Tse Amgbem close to Aondona, all in Gwer West Local Government on Monday.

    She, however, said that the Command was also yet to get full details of the attack on the communities and number of casualties.

  • No Amount of Intimidation Would make Benue State repeal Open Grazing Prohibition – Gov Ortom

    No Amount of Intimidation Would make Benue State repeal Open Grazing Prohibition – Gov Ortom

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has declared that no amount of Intimidation Would make the state to repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.

    The Governor who made the declaration at the inauguration of Constituency projects executed by a Member of the Benue State House of Assembly, representing Uju ll, Hon Okanga Okpanya.

    Ortom who spoke through the Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Hon Ekpe Ogbu averred thus: ” The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law has come to stay.”

    Continuing he noted that “no amount of intimidation as reflected in the renewed killings accompanied by the sarcastic reaction from the Presidency would make the state repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.”

    The Governor applauded the people of the state over their continued support and prayers. He urged them to sustain their support and prayers to the present administration to enable it overcome daunting challenges confronting it.

    Ortom lauded the Legislator over execution of people oriented projects for members of his Constituency, stressing that the projects were targeted at improving the well-being of his constituents.