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Tag: Benue

Two Abducted Benue Varsity Students Regains Freedom
The two students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi abducted by gunmen have secured their freedom.
Their release comes four days after gunmen stormed the school after its convocation and kidnapped three students.
Confirming the incident via a text message on Wednesday, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Sewuese Anene, said the students were rescued unhurt.
“The kidnapped students of the University of Makurdi have been released unhurt. Investigation into the case continues please,” he said.
When asked if ransom was paid to facilitate their release, the police spokesman replied saying: “No ransom was paid please.”
There were some reports that the kidnappers contacted one of the parents of the students and demanded N20 million ransom.
Efforts to reach the institution’s Director of Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Rosemary Waku, proved abortive as her line didn’t reach.
This comes barely a week after about 20 students were abducted from Greenfield University in Kaduna State.
Three of the Greenfield University students were found dead on Friday.
Speaking to journalists, in Markurdi, police spokesperson Anene Sewuese said the gunmen struck at about 10:20 pm and kidnapped three of the students studying close to a lecture theatre.
“We have received that information, we are on it and I know that we are very close,” she said.
“My advice is that the members of the public remain calm. We are doing our best to make sure that we get to the root of this and apprehend perpetrators of this crime.
April 28, 2021
Gunmen invades University of Agriculture in Benue, Abduct students
An unconfirmed number of students from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi have been abducted at gunpoint “by unknown persons”, the institution confirmed on Monday.
“The University has reported the incident to the police and all relevant security agencies,” a statement signed by the university’s Director of Information, Protocol and Public Relations Unit (IPPR), Mrs Rosemary Waku, said.
“The University has not heard anything from the students or their captors since the unfortunate incidence took place.”
The police has also confirmed the abduction.
“The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command has ordered a full-scale investigation into the case,” a statement from police spokesperson, Anene Sewuese, said.
The Benue abduction comes barely a week after about 20 students were abducted from Greenfield University in Kaduna.
Three of the Greenfield University students were found dead on Friday.
Details later . . .
April 26, 2021
Many Feared Dead In Benue Tanker Explosion
Many have been feared dead following a tanker explosion in Oshigbudu, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to an amateur video sent by an eyewitness on Sunday, many houses, shops and properties were also destroyed in the inferno.
Agatu local government area is some four hours drive from Makurdi, the Benue State capital and help from this axis is unlikely as the fire is believed to have gone out of control.
Many residents of the area called for help from relevant authorities to come to their rescue as the only fire station is in Otukpo Local Government Area, a one hour thirty minutes drive from the scene of the fire.
When contacted, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Emmanuel Shior confirmed the incident to Channels Television via a telephone conversation.
While noting that he would brief Governor Samuel Ortom on the development, he said a statement will be issued shortly.
“The fire inferno at Oshugbudu in Agatu local Government, my local government of origin today, 18-04-2021 which has claimed so many lives and destroyed properties yet to be quantified, is the Chief of all the calamities that have fallen us this year,” he said.
“As I pray God to comfort the good people of Agatu and most especially those directly involved, over the lost, I wish to call on Government at all levels and spirited individuals to come to our aids in order to drastically reduce the effect of the disaster on the people. Once again may God grant us the fortitude to bear the huge loss.”
Details later….
April 18, 2021
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.
April 14, 2021
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.
April 7, 2021
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.
April 2, 2021
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.
March 25, 2021
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.
March 8, 2021
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
February 9, 2021
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.
February 3, 2021