TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benue State

  • PDP will reclaim power in Benue in 2027 – Ortom

    PDP will reclaim power in Benue in 2027 – Ortom

    The immediate past governor of Benue, Samuel Ortom, has confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would reclaim power in the state in 2027. Ortom stated this at the party’s state congress on Thursday in Makurdi.

    The former Governor said that the enthusiasm and zeal exhibited by members of the party during the congress was an indication of PDP momentum to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power.

    He urged them to unite and work as a single block to achieve the target.

    PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman in Benue, Sen. Napoleon Bali, said that the party was waxing stronger in the state. Bali, who was represented by the committee secretary, Mr Osita Ogene, said that he wanted the exercise to be smooth and without hitches.

    Mr David Amo, who spoke on behalf of the Benue North East Senatorial District, said that the congress was well attended. Amo stated that the massive attendance was a testament to the fact that the PDP was much alive in the state.

    Dr Laha Dzever, who spoke on behalf of Benue North West Senatorial District, said that the party would continue to move forward and wrestle power from the APC in 2027. Dzever urged PDP loyalists to close and work tirelessly for the party.

    Mr Matthew Ire, who spoke for the Benue South Senatorial District, said that there was no other party in the area apart from the PDP.

    Those elected as the state working committee members were Mr Ezekiel Adaji, Chairman; Mr Azua Ashongo, Deputy Chairman; Mr Daniel Nyikwagh, Secretary; and Mr Tivzua Zuana, among several other positions.

    Adaji, in his acceptance, appreciated members of the party for saddling them with the responsibility to pilot the affairs of the party. The new chairman promised to unite all aggrieved members of the party.

  • Gov Alia appoints new Secretary to the State Government

    Gov Alia appoints new Secretary to the State Government

    Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue on Tuesday approved the appointment of Barr. Serumun Aber as Secretary to the State Government (SSG). This is contained in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

    Mrs Aber’s appointment takes immediate effect, According to the statement The appointment followed the resignation of the former SSG, Prof. Joseph Alakali. According to the statement, Prof Alakali submitted a letter of resignation on  Monday, where he cited personal challenges that needed his time and attention to address, as reasons.

    Alia, while accepting the resignation, thanked Alakali for serving the state under his administration for a year and three months. He wished Alakali well and prayed God to grant him strength to tackle the many challenges he had chosen to address.

    Meanwhile, statement described the new SSG, Aber, as a seasoned solicitor and arbitrator with a strong sense of initiative and excellent analytical skills.

    “Mrs Aber is a team player with good interpersonal skills who always strives for excellence and aims to contribute positively to the success and growth of an organisation. She aspires to work in a reputable and challenging environment that encourages professionalism,” it read.

    It stated that Aber is a graduate of the University of Jos and Nasarawa State University, Keffi. The statement further said that Gov. Alia believed that Mrs Aber would bring her wealth of experience and trustworthy record of service to bear and add significant value to his government.

    He charged her to remain focused and align her work with the vision of the administration as outlined in the working document. The Governor urged her to always prioritise the interests of the state in her official functions.

  • Labour party chairman shot dead in Benue

    Labour party chairman shot dead in Benue

    Sunday Oche, a Labour Party Chairman for Igumale Ward 1 in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, has been killed by suspected herdsmen.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the deceased was returning from his farm alongside five others, when the gunmen ambushed the group at around 4:30 pm, killing him at the spot.

    The five others, had reportedly  escaped with serious injuries.

    Speaking about the incident, a close friend of the deceased, who requested anonymity, said the attack took place in Igumale.

    “There were six of them who went to the farm on two motorbikes. They were coming back about 4:30 pm, when they ran into the ambush of armed herdsmen, who were all over the place in Ado LGA.

    “The armed herders flagged them down and immediately shot the Chairman, who was the first person they confronted, who died on the spot.

    “When others realised it was an ambush, they tried to escape but the five of them also sustained serious injuries. Though they eventually escaped abandoning their motorbikes.

    “On hearing the news of the attack, our youths mobilised and went to the scene of the incident, but the attackers had fled the scene leaving the body of the killed Chairman, who left a wife and two children.

    “His body was recovered and plans are on to bury his remains on Thursday, while the injured five are currently receiving treatment at the hospital,” the source said.

  • See face of kidnappers who abducted 20 medical students in Benue

    See face of kidnappers who abducted 20 medical students in Benue

    The faces of some of the key members behind the abduction of the 19 medical students and a doctor in Benue state have surfaced on social media.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that security sources on Friday night confirmed the release of the 20 medical students, who were kidnapped in Benue State on August 15.

    According to the sources, the operations were coordinated by the office of the national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu with help from a team sent by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

    The students, from the University of Jos and the University of Maiduguri were said to be on their way to the annual convention of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students in Enugu when the gunmen ambushed their vehicles in Benue and took them away into the bush.

    Sharing photos of the gunmen on social media, Ogbeni Dipo wrote: “These are some of the criminal kidnappers who abducted 19 medical students and a doctor in Benue state. I hope they get hanged once convicted.”

  • Kidnapped 20 medical students regain freedom

    Kidnapped 20 medical students regain freedom

    Security sources on Friday night have confirmed the release of the 20 medical students, who were kidnapped in Benue State on August 15.

    According to the sources who spoke with Channels TV, the operations were coordinated by the office of  the national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu with help from a team sent by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

    Security agencies such as the Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and military personnel, with support from Benue State Government assisted in rescuing the students.

    Though the student have regained their freedom according to security sources, details of the rescue operation are still sketchy at the moment.

    It would be recalled that the students, from University of Jos and University of Maiduguri were on their way to the annual convention of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students in Enugu when the yet-to-be identified gunmen ambushed their vehicles in Benue and took them away into the bush.

    A day after the abduction of the students, their abductors had established contact with victims’ families, demanding a ransom of ₦50 million to secure the release of their hostages.

    Benue police confirms release of 20 medical students from kidnappers den

    Meanwhile, the Police Command in Benue State has confirmed the release of the 20 students of the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos kidnapped by gunmen in the north-central State on August 15. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Sewuese Anene, confirmed their rescue at 11.15 p.m. on Friday in Makurdi.

    The students, who were traveling to Enugu for their annual Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) Convention, were abducted in Oturkpo. Also taken was a House Officer, who accompanied them on the journey.

    Anene, however, declined further details on the rescue efforts, saying: “The victims have been released. Details will be released tomorrow (Saturday) morning please”.

    Their release is coming five days after the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olukayode Egbetokun, deployed a tactical squad to Benue and ordered the Commissioner of Police in Benue, to relocate to Oturkpo.

    It was gathered that a combined team of security operatives coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser carried out the operation that ensured freedom for the abducted students.

  • Flood wreaks havoc in Makurdi township

    Flood wreaks havoc in Makurdi township

    Flood on Sunday wreaked havoc in most parts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital and rendered hundreds of the residents temporarily homeless.

    A correspondent, who went round Makurdi reports that worst hit areas included Achussah, Jerome Hwande street, Ankpa quarters extension, Ankpa ward by Demekpe, Living Faith Church, Naka Road, and Behind Customary Court of Appeal.

    Others are; Gboko road,  JS Tarka University of Agriculture Road, Nyiman Village, Wurukum roundabout, Logo1 Akpehe village, Ide village and Kasho village,

    amongst others.

    The disaster had not only rendered hundreds within the State capital homeless, but huge properties lost.

    Flood had over the last decade become a yearly routine, destroying properties and causing lost of lives in some cases

    These areas were among the worst hit areas of the 2017 flooding that displaced over 120,000 persons in the Benue capital, while in 2022, over 14 councils were affected.

    Makurdi  residents mostly experience flooding, whenever there was rainfall largely due to  lack of proper and adequate drainage system and not always due to the overflow of River Benue.

    At Agber Village, Mrs Hope Igbawua told NAN that the situation was beyond their control, adding that the residents have reported the matter to relevant authorities over the years without positive response.

    Igbawua said that as a community, they couldn’t do much, saying the situation required hundreds of millions to be addressed.

    “See my brother, our problem here is not the overflow of water from River Benue but lack of a proper and adequate drainage to collect water to the main drainage that was constructed by the Federal Government.

    “The situation we face here is almost similar with many people in Makurdi. Not all of us are affected by the overflow of River Benue. We need drains,” she said.

    The Executive Secretary (ES), Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Mr  James Iorpuu, said they were already mapping out areas and households affected by the flood for immediate intervention.

    Iorpuu said SEMA had earlier carried out massive advocacy on flood and appealed to those living along flood prone areas to evacuate to safer areas.

    On his part, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Mr Ugwu Odoh said, comprehensive drainage design of the affected communities would be carried out while the Urban Development Board would demolish buildings blocking water channels.

    The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr  Aondowase Kunde said a joint memo would be submitted to the Governor for necessary actions to address the issue of flooding in the State.

  • BREAKING: 18 killed, 3 kidnapped as gunmen wreak havoc in Benue

    BREAKING: 18 killed, 3 kidnapped as gunmen wreak havoc in Benue

    Suspected gunmen have attacked the Mbache Ward in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, wreaking havoc and reportedly killing 18 persons.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the incident occurred on Friday as confirmed on Saturday via telephone by the Caretaker Chairman of the LG council, Mr Justine Shaku.

    Mr Shaku said that a father and his two children were also kidnapped during the attack, while disclosing that he received a distress call at 11.00p.m. on Friday that some gunmen were going from house to house forcing people to follow them.

    According to him, he quickly notified the military officers at Tor Donga, but before they could reach Mbache ward, where the incident was happening, the gunmen had killed 18 persons and left with three others.

    “Yesterday night, I was told it was 17, but today 18 bodies have been confirmed dead. All of them were assembled in one place and killed.

    “This morning, I, the assembly member and adviser on legislative matters held a meeting and we communicated the development to the Commissioner of Police.

    “He is on his way coming. Since he is coming we asked the villagers to wait let him join us here in Katsina-Ala town before we visit the scene.

    “Yes some people were kidnapped, one man and his two children were kidnapped. In the recent days apart from what happened yesterday we have pockets of kidnappings. Kidnapping is also resurfacing in the area,” he said.

    Shaku said the local terrorists were using guerrilla war tactics, “they hit and run away.”

    The council chairman said the security situation in the council was not encouraging, but expressed optimism that there was hope at the end of the tunnel.

    “In the month of June, the security situation was very bad, but this month we have not witnessed such attacks.

    “Even those they ransacked their houses have moved back to their homes and things appeared to be calm before this attack.

    “They are local terrorists. I no longer call them bandits because I’m seeing hands/elements of terrorism in their activities.

    “The people should be calm, Gov. Hyacinth Alia is committed to keeping our societies safe from such acts. They should be assured that very soon it will be things in the past,” he said

    Also when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, SP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the attack, saying investigation into the incident was on going.

    Anene said that security had been beefed up and normalcy had returned to the area. He urged the residents to remain calm and continue to maintain restraint in the face of provocation.

  • NEMA raises alarm of flood in 9 LGAs of Benue

    NEMA raises alarm of flood in 9 LGAs of Benue

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has predicted flooding in nine Local Government Areas in Benue.

    Mrs Zubaida Umar, the agency’s Director -General, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi during the Downscaling of Flood Early Warning Strategies for Early Actions in the  State, said about nine LGAs may be affected by the 2024 flooding.

    She said that three LGAs of Bururku, Makurdi and Guma would be the mostly hit.

    Represented by Air Commodore Kennedy Mataluwo, the NEMA boss, said the flood may have impact on 31 States in the country with 148 LGAs been predicted to be within the high risk areas.

    She stated that 35 States, including FCT with 249 LGAs are considered to fall within the moderate flood risk areas, while the remaining 377 LGAs are forecasted as  the low flood risk areas.

    “NEMA’s records of flood incidents in Benue   shows that the state  has been severely impacted by floods, but for the 2024 rainy season, some Local government areas in the state  are still predicted to be affected by flooding.

    “These LGAs,which are under high and moderate flood risk areas include Buruku, Makurdi, Guma, Agatu, Tarka, Gwer West, Logo, Kwande and Katsina-Ala.

    “They are already listed in the earlier NEMA communication to the Government of Benue.

    “This underscores this flag off, in the State today. Accordingly, I call for support in this initiative of downscaling flood early warning and risk mitigation messages to the grassroots,”she said.

    The D-G explained that these flood risk areas were presented with their degree of vulnerability to serve as a tool for government at all levels to develop risk reduction measures to avert disaster  during the rainy season.

    She urged Nigerians to take actions that would drastically reduce the adverse impacts of floods on the entire landscape and the population, especially for most vulnerable persons living in communities identified to be at risk of flooding.

    “We must work together to safeguard communities at risk, protect critical infrastructure and support uninterrupted socio-economic activities in the State.

    “It is my hope that today’s event will go a long way in reducing the impact of the annually recurring floods and to safeguard the private, communal and livelihoods of the people of  the state,”she said

    Gov. Hyacient Alia, commended NEMA for always being there for Benue people in times of need.

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Joseph Alakali, said the State would constitute “Technical Committee” on flood for effective action.

    He said that flood history has shown that about 17 LGAs maybe affected by this year’s flood.

    Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr  James Iorpuu, said that 17 LGAs were prone to flooding in the State.

    Iorpuu said that Makurdi and Buruku have already witnessed heavy flash flood in the recent weeks.

    He said that SEMA has already procured 45 live jackets to be donated to Buruku LG for rescue mission following the growing increase of the water level in River Katsina-Ala.

    He said that more jackets were needed to be donated to Agatu LGA for the same usage.

    Speaking to newsmen, Caretaker Chairman, Konshisha LGA, Mr Philip Achua, said the LGA  would further downscaled the information to all the communities.

    Participants during the sensitisation programme included the 23 LGA Chairmen in the State.

  • Police confirm destruction of govt property in Benue community

    Police confirm destruction of govt property in Benue community

    The Police Command in Benue, on Thursday, confirmed the massive destruction of government property in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), of the State by hoodlums.

    The command made the confirmation in a statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene in Makurdi.

    The Ukum LGA Divisional Police Station was the only major government facility that was not burnt down during the incident.

    Anene said that the Command had arrested 18 suspects so far, and investigation was ongoing into the incident, which occurred on Wednesday.

    According to the command, suspected bandits also attacked a village in Ayati Community of Ukum, where six persons were killed, but Police teams were immediately deployed to prevent further attacks on the area.

    “It is worthy of note that Ukum is a boundary area between Benue and Taraba State, and which has been a turbulent area in the state.

    “This turbulence increased after the death of the notorious Gana, though Ukum has attracted the highest deployment of security agents in the state.

    “The deployment is made to curtail activities of bandits that are found in three LGAs; Ukum, Logo and Kastina-Ala, collectively called Sankera.

    “At about 0800hrs, violent protesters in hundreds began a protest, obviously sponsored by criminals to unleash mayhem on the people, and destabilise a security network that has prevented them from operating freely in the area, especially with recent successful operations that dislodged several bandits’ camps in the last two months.

    “During this violent protest, personal and government properties were destroyed. These hoodlums also made an attempt to invade Ukum Police Division, but were repelled by officers on duty,” Anene said.

    The police spokesman said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP. Hassan Yabanet, had relocated to the area with tactical teams and heads of other security agencies, to forestall any further breakdown of law and order.

    The Benue State Government has since imposed 24 hours curfew on Ukum, following the serious security breach.

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia, said the curfew became imperative following the wanton destruction of Government property and threats to lives in the area.

    Alia further explained that the curfew was to ensure that all Benue citizens and their properties were well protected.

    Some of the property destroyed or burnt include: the Council Secretariat, Legislative House, BIRS office, Government Technical Secondary School, Ukum Area Traditional Council, Divisional Agriculture Office, Chairman’s official residence, and the Local government guest house.

    Others are: INEC office, High court of Justice Sankera, Benue links vehicles, Road safety office, Patrol vehicles, NDE building, and many others.

  • Protesting youths set INEC office ablaze in Benue

    Protesting youths set INEC office ablaze in Benue

    The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sankara, Ukum Local Government of Benue was attacked and burnt on Wednesday by protesting youths.

    INEC confirmed this in a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee in Abuja.

    Olumekun said that a report from INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue, Prof. Sam Egwu, stated that the incident occurred at 2pm on Wednesday.

    He said that the office was set on fire by youths in the area protesting against the activities of bandits in the area.

    “Although no casualties were recorded, the building has been extensively damaged.

    “Office furniture and other movable and immovable materials, including 10 electric generators, 300 ballot boxes and 270 voting cubicles, were destroyed in the attack,” Olumekun said

    He said that the attention of security agencies had been drawn to the incident and they had already deployed their personnel to the area.