Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Benue

  • Northern Governors Sympathise With Army Over Killing Of Soldiers In Benue

    Northern Governors Sympathise With Army Over Killing Of Soldiers In Benue

    The Northern Governors Forum has sympathised with the Nigerian Army over the killing of 12 soldiers in Konshisha LGA, Benue State, describing it as a condemnable act which must not be allowed to happen again as it is capable of demoralising security personnel from giving their best to fighting insecurity in the country. 

    Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement said the forum sympathises with the families of the slain soldiers and the Nigerian Army over this unfortunate incident, which occurred when the soldiers were on an assignment to ensure the security of lives and properties. 

    The Forum urges the Army not to be discouraged by the act and continue carrying out their legitimate duty of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and assisting in maintaining internal security, particularly at this time when the nation is confronted by many criminal activities. 

    While pledging its continued support and collaboration to the Armed Forces and the security services in general, the Northern Governors appealed to the Army to remain professional and exercise caution and restraint even as they work hard to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

    The Governors also called on the citizens to assist the security forces with useful information that will lead to the arrest of those behind the killing of the soldiers as well as the apprehension of other criminals tormenting innocent citizens across the country.

  • Gunmen kill 2 Policemen, Chinese Engineer, kidnap 2 Expatriates in Benue State

    Gunmen kill 2 Policemen, Chinese Engineer, kidnap 2 Expatriates in Benue State

    Police rescue 13 year old girl

    Unknown gunmen have reportedly killed two Policemen, a Chinese Engineer and kidnapped two Expatriates attached to Sumatary Trading Company Limited in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

    The Police Public Relation’s Officer, Benue State Command, DSP, Sewuese Anene while confirming the incident explained that the two Policemen who lost their lives were posted to escort the Expatriates of the company.

    According to Anene the Policemen came under attack of the bandits who ambushed them at the construction site of the company. She stated that the said Officers were shot dead during exchange of gunfire.

    The Police Spokesperson hinted that more Policemen have been deployed to the area to ensure that the kidnapped Expatriates are rescued.

    Meanwhile, Benue State Police Command has rescued a 13 year old girl from alleged kidnappers at Adikpo in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

    The Police PPRO, DSP Sewuese Anene who disclosed this maintained that a kidnap syndicate invaded a residence at Apera in Adikpo last Sunday and kidnapped Mngusuun Iorliam and took her to a forest.

    She explained that Men of Operation Zenda were contacted, stressing that they raided the kidnappers’ hideout where the victim was rescued.

    Anene noted that Police arrested two of the suspects, Vershima Sunday of Nanev in Kwande Local Government Area and Grace Yaor, explaining that four other suspects ran away with bullets wounds.

    She contended that security operatives seized a motorcycle suspected to have been used by the kidnappers, adding that the rescued girl has since been reunited with his family.

  • Insecurity: Benue People won’t allow themselves to be conquered as slaves – Gov Ortom

    Insecurity: Benue People won’t allow themselves to be conquered as slaves – Gov Ortom

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State says the people of the state would not allow themselves to be conquered as slaves by those who want to take over the land.

    Ortom made this known on Thursday at the the Interdenominational church service organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Benue State in collaboration with the Benue State Government held at the chapel of Grace Government House, Makurdi.

    The Governor contended that through prayers and adoration unto the Lord, God will deliver His children to overcome challenges bedeviling them.

    He noted that the solution to Benue’s problem was a spiritual solution, insisting that the state Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law has come to stay.

    Earlier, the state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev Akpen Leva stated that God choose leaders at particular times for certain purposes, adding that Ortom was ordained to stand as a shield against attacks on the state and the country in general.

  • Bandits kill one, injure nine in Benue

    Bandits kill one, injure nine in Benue

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    At least one person has been reportedly killed while nine others have sustained various degrees of injuries as bandits yesterday attacked traders at Abaji market in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

    In a statement by the Police Spokesperson, Benue State Police Command, DSP Sewuese Anene the attack occurred at about 6.30pm when traders were returning from the market.

    According to Anene, the bandits who disguised themselves as buyers started shooting sporadically and killed one person why nine others sustianed injuries.

    The Police Public Relation’s Officer, PPRO, noted that joint operation of Police and other security agents returned fire and repelled the bandits to the forest with gun shot injuries where they are cordoned for search.

    She contended that the corpse of the deceased have been deposited at the Primary Health Care center, Abaji while the injured persons are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital Katsina-Ala.

    Anene averred that more patrol teams were immediately drafted to the scene of the event to assist Officers who are already on ground, stressing that cordon and search operation is in progress.

  • Govt Warns Nnamdi Kanu – Benue Not Part Of Biafra

    Govt Warns Nnamdi Kanu – Benue Not Part Of Biafra

    Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been warned to steer clear of Benue State.

    This followed the recent threat by Kanu to send ESN members to protect Igbo people living in Benue.

    Kanu identified Ado and Oju Local Government Areas as places that need the presence of ESN.

    In his reaction, Ado Local Government admonished Kanu to stop dragging Benue into “his self-seeking campaign”.

    The Chairman, James Oche, told reporters on Saturday that the territorial integrity of the state would never be a subject of Biafra agitation.

    He cautioned proponents of Kanu’s “inordinate ideology” in Benue to desist or face the wrath of the law.

    On the IPOB leader’s comment about the “abduction” of 3 people, Oche clarified that they were arrested in connection with the murder of an elderly Fulani man, Mohammed Isa.

    “It was an act that threatened the security of the area and made the Deputy Governor summon a meeting that was held yesterday in Makurdi with all concerned stakeholders.

    “Kanu reportedly issued statements charging Benue Governor to protect ‘IPOB communities’ or he would send Eastern Security Network operatives to do so. He should stop insulting the sensibilities of Benue people.”

    The LG boss assured that Governor Samuel Ortom was doing his best in terms of security.

    He advised the people to remain calm and support the governor’s commitment to the full implementation of the Anti Open Grazing Law.

  • Governor Ortom demands investigation into gang rape of teenage girl in Benue

    Governor Ortom demands investigation into gang rape of teenage girl in Benue

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Tuesday charged security operatives to investigate the reported gang-rape of the teenager by four young men in Obi Local Government Area of the state.

    The Governor, who made the charge in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, on Tuesday, condemned the incident and described it as barbaric, dehumanizing and unfortunate.

    He stressed that the arrest and prosecution of the culprits will serve as deterrent to persons who engage in the defilement of minors and other crimes. 

    The Governor charged the Chairman of Obi Local Government and traditional rulers from the area to collaborate with security agencies to fish out the rape suspects and bring them to justice. 

    He encourages parents and guardians to closely monitor the movement of their children and report any case of rape to security operatives

  • Child Trafficking: 19 unidentify victims arrive Benue

    Child Trafficking: 19 unidentify victims arrive Benue

    The Benue State government has received 19 victims of child trafficking who were brought home from Lagos, following the intervention of Break the Silence Initiative Nigeria (BSiN), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    The victims made up of seven boys from Ushongo and 12 from Vandeikya local government areas of the state were among many other unidentified Benue teenagers trafficked to different parts of Nigeria by some people who security operatives described as unscrupulous elements.

    Receiving the victims on behalf of the government, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Tabitha Igirgi appreciated the NGOs involved and the Nigerian Police for the interception and repatriation of the affected children, adding that the government would do all it could to end the ugly practice.

    The Executive Director of BSiN, Mrs Phoebe Awange, accompanied by Mr Benjamin Usman of Child Trafficking Department, Lagos State Police Command, explained that her organisation swung into action upon receiving a tipoff on the January 28, leading to the rescue of the victims and the arrest of two traffickers who are currently undergoing investigation.

    She urged the government to beam its searchlight on the Southern part of Nigeria, especially Lagos and Rivers states as there are more victims of trafficking yet to be discovered.

    The Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) North Central Zone, Mrs Gloria Bai, said NAPTIP was present to witness the handover and to ensure justice for the victims.

    The Programme Manager of Eunice Spring of Life Foundation (ESLF) Mr Tine Agernor streesed the importance of partnership as a key strategy for addressing societal ills, saying it was through partnership with relevant stakeholders that the return of the children was made possible.

    He called on parents, guardians and community members to be observant and take action to end human trafficking, which he describing it as a gross human rights violation.

  • Angry Mob set suspected motorcycle thief ablaze in Benue

    Angry Mob set suspected motorcycle thief ablaze in Benue

    A suspected motorcycle thief was burnt to death by a mob while attempting to snatch motorcycle in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. 

    It was gathered that one of the suspect was set ablaze by mob in front of LGEA primary school in Wurukum in the early hours of Sunday, January 24. 

    A witness told Daily Trust at the scene of the incident that the deceased suspect was killed and burnt with tyres after he made unsuccessful effort to snatched a motorcycle from its owner.

    Another witness, a food vendor, whose makeshift shop was situated closely to the scene of the incident, further narrated, that it was about 5:20am when a certain commercial motorcyclist and his two passengers alighted at the gate of the primary school.

    “An argument ensued between them after the motorcyclist insisted that he was yet to reach where the duo told him was their destination. The two passengers had earlier forced him to stop them at the primary school on gunpoint just as they demanded for the key to the bike,” she narrated.

    “But, the motorcycle rider refused to hand them the key so they shot at him and the bullet didn’t penetrate. The motorcycle rider on his part picked a stone from the rubbles around there and hit it on one of them while he also raised an alarm which attracted people to the scene. One of the suspect escaped while the other was unlucky as the people who got to the scene to help the cyclist rider set him ablaze,”

    Mob sets suspected motorcycle thief ablaze in Benue

    Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the incident, condemned the mob action.

    “At Wurukum area, Information was received that a young man attempted to snatch motorcycle from a cyclist and was arrested by a mob. The police on reaching the scene, discovered that the suspect had been set ablaze. The command condemn such lawlessness and warns that members of the public should seek justice through the appropriate channel.” she said. 

  • People with Disabilities protest marginalization in FG Public Special Work Force in Benue

    People with Disabilities protest marginalization in FG Public Special Work Force in Benue

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Chapter of the Joint Association of People Living with Disabilities on Tuesday staged a protest over alleged marginalization in the ongoing recruitment in the Federal Government Public Special Work Force.

    The protesters carried placards along major roads in Makurdi with different inscriptions such as ” bring back our list, we say no to Disabilities injustice, stop discrimination against people with Disabilities” among others. 

    Worried over the situation, the Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission in charge of Benue State, Mr. Theophilus Adzaagee appealed to the group to suspend protest for dialogue.

    Adzaagee who was represented by the Director, Mr. Gabriel Sani, after a meeting with the protesters said the employment process was carried out by the State Directorate of Employment based on guidelines given to it, assuring that their demands would be considered.

    Reacting to the development, the Public Relation’s Officer of the association, Miss Faith Yasaa said the Federal Government had allocated slots for some of their members across the local governments in the country to benefit from the jobs and wondered why in Benue State someone with clear conscience would look at their conditions and remove their names.

    Responding, the State Director, National Directorate of Employment in Benue State, Mr. Musa sudauki assured  that the issue would be attended to.

  • Benue mourns Isa Kontagora as Gov Ortom declares Tuesday work-free day

    Benue mourns Isa Kontagora as Gov Ortom declares Tuesday work-free day

    By Isaac Kertyo Makurdi

    The Government and people of Benue State have been thrown into a state of mourning, following the sudden death of former Military Administrator of the state, Cool. Aminu Kontagora, rtd.

    To this end, Governor Samuel Ortom has declared Tuesday, 12th January, 2021 as work-free day. Ortom further directed that flags should be flown at half mast as a mark of honor to the former leader of the state. 

    In his tribute to the deceased, the Governor described the passing on of Col. Kontagora as a great loss to Nigeria as a whole, maintaining that the indelible footprints he has left would ever be remembered. 

    Ortom sympathized with the Government and people of Niger State over the demise of their illustrious son. He prayed to the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest. 

    In the same vein, the immediate past Governor of Benue State and Senator representing Benue North East, Gabriel Suswam has condoled with the Kontagora’s family over the loss. He noted that the legacies left by Col. Kontagora would not be forgotten. 

    Born in 1956, Col. Aminu Kontagora was the Military Administrator of Benue State between August 1996 and August 1998 under Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime.