TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benue State

  • Army dismisses report of impending operations in 4 states as fake

    Army dismisses report of impending operations in 4 states as fake

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday dismissed a report of impending operation in Benue, Taraba, Plateau and Kogi as fake.

    The fake report was purported to have emanated from Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

    Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated in Abuja that the fake publication was the handiwork of some fifth columnists bent at misleading the public.

    Nwachukwu stressed that the information conveyed in the said document was outright falsehood calculated to spread fake news to create undue tension and undermine the Nigerian Army.

    According to him, a scrutiny of the fake press statement with a fake army letterhead indicates a non-existent nomenclature in the Armed Forces – “The Nigeria Defence Headquarters Abuja Sector (1) Operation Whirl Stroke.’’

    “Additionally, there is no such appointment as `General Operation Commander’ in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    “Furthermore, the fake press statement was riddled with syntax, grammatical and spelling errors which are in dissonance with Nigerian Army’s press statements,’’ he stated.

    Nwachukwu added that the Nigerian Army, being a staunch defender of Nigeria’s sovereignty, had over time, maintained robust civil-military relations with the people of Benue, Taraba, Plateau and Kogi.

    He stated also that it was untoward that mischief-makers could attempt to ruin the highly-valued relationship with their intent for extra judicial killing in the course of conducting the purported operations.

    According to him, the Nigerian Army has always sustained the flow of information to the general public whenever the need arises through appropriate media channels.

    “Considering the damage that this misinformation could cause to members of the public, the army wishes to warn unscrupulous persons or groups employing misinformation to aggravate insecurity in the country to desist from the practice.

    “They should rather join other well-meaning and law-abiding citizens to support the Nigerian Army in countering terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country,” Nwachukwu stressed.

     

  • Benue in N359bn debt – Gov. Alia

    Benue in N359bn debt – Gov. Alia

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue on Sunday disclosed that his administration inherited the sum of N359 billion as debt from the past administration in the state.

    Alia disclosed this at an interdenominational church service to commemorate Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary.

    The church service was organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State Chapter, at the Methodist Cathedral, South Bank, Makurdi.

    The governor,  who is a Catholic priest, said  that in spite of the debt burden, he was determined to reposition the state by providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    “God has accomplished his work,  and it is now left for us to make our state and nation to work. I am here to make things work.

    “What we inherited was nothing to be proud of, but we will do what will make us all proud. I inherited over N359bn debt,” he said.

    He regretted that the state lost billions of Naira worth of agricultural produce and other property to herders’ attacks on farmers.

    He said that the farmers must be supported to do their job well.

    Alia said that the condition of rural dwellers following incessant herders’ attacks and fuel subsidy removal had become worrisome.

    He said that his administration would find ways to support farmers by providing seedlings, fertilisers and other forms of support to enable them to work effectively in the coming farming season.

    “My colleagues call me the governor of the richest state in Nigeria and I agree with them because we have numerous mineral deposits, we have the best yams and soyabeans, among others.

    “We will create billionaires in the state through our farms. We have everything it takes to do it.”

    Alia  ordered  immediate end to illegal mining in the state.

    “The foreigners illegally mining gold in Kwande, Logo, Konshisha LGAs and other places in the state should desist from it immediately. This is an order,” he said.

    He said that God blessed the state and the entire Nigeria abundantly and it was left for the leaders to make things to work.

    He decried the spate of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state, pledging to tackle them.

    The governor said that the future of the state lied in the hands of the youth, adding that his administration was  training 10,000 youths in information technology for improved digital knowledge.

    Alia gave the assurance that his administration would not accommodate corruption and  nepotism.

    The governor appealed to Benue sons and daughters to support the state in any way they could.

  • Gunmen demand whopping ransom to release kidnapped Benue Commissioner

    Gunmen demand whopping ransom to release kidnapped Benue Commissioner

    The unknown gunmen, who kidnapped the Benue Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Matthew Aboh, have allegedly demanded a ransom of N60 million from his family.

    A family source told newsmen on Friday in Makurdi that the abductors made the demand in a phone call to a member of the family on Friday.

    According to the source, the recipient of the call, name withheld for security reasons, said the “kidnappers have resorted to torturing the commissioner to press home for their demand”.

    The source said they called and placed their phone on loud speaker so that the beating of the commissioner and his cries for help could be heard.

    Several gunmen stormed the commissioner’s residence in Zaki-Biam in Ukum LGA and kidnapped him on 24th Sept. around 8pm.

    Eyewitnesses told NAN that the kidnappers came on four motorcycles, ordered everyone in the house, including the the Commissioner’s wife and children, to lie face down before they took away the victim.

    The witnesses said the abductors compelled the commissioner to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles and sped away.

    Gov Hyacinth Alia, in his reaction, has strongly condemned the abduction and directed security operatives to ensure the safe release of his Commissioner.

    However, when asked if the kidnappers have made contact with either the family or government, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, simply said “investigation is ongoing”.

  • EFCC decries rise of fake dollars, cyber crime in Benue

    EFCC decries rise of fake dollars, cyber crime in Benue

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has decried the sudden rise of fake dollars and cyber crimes in Benue axis.

    Its Acting Chairman, Mr Abdulkarim Chukkol, who disclosed this on Thursday in Makurdi, said that the commission had taken measures to address the situation.

    The EFCC chairman spoke during a workshop on “Effective Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes,” organised for 30 journalists of major media organisations in the country.

    Chukkol was represented by the Head of Makurdi Zonal Office of EFCC, Mr Friday Ebelo.

    He said the primary aim of the commission was to reduce corruption in the country to barest level, and would continue to discharge its duties effectively and professionally.

    “Through the commission’s enforcement activities, recoveries running into several billions of naira have been recorded and the country’s anti-money laundering framework strengthened.

    “There is now a more robust regulation of the activities of these entities which are vulnerable to money laundering,” he added.

    The EFCC chairman warned people against disclosing their bank details to anybody to avoid its being used for illegal financial deals.

    “I will like the media to educate family members, friends, politicians and others that they run the risk of going to jail if they allow their companies or banks accounts to be used to launder proceeds of illegal activities.

    “Under the Money Laundering Act, 2022 family members and close allies of politicians and public office holders, including top civil servants, are now classified as Politically Exposed Persons.

    “The EFCC is determined to ensure that anyone who steals from public treasury and all those who assist them under whatever guise, are brought to justice, and ignorance of the law will not be an excuse,” he said.

    Chukkol said that the commission had recorded 3,785 convictions in 2022, the highest since its establishment.

    He said that the Makurdi Zonal Office, which was established in 2019, has so far recorded 107 convictions.

     

  • Gov Alia condemns kidnapping of Commissioner

    Gov Alia condemns kidnapping of Commissioner

    Governor Hyacinth Alia has strongly condemned the kidnapping of Mr. Matthew Aboh, his Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, and former Chairman Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), Mr. Iorwashima Erukaa.

    This is contained in a press statement on Monday, signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

    According to the statement, while Mr Abo was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in his Sankara home at about 8pm on Sunday, September 24, Mr. Erukaa was taken away by a yet-to-be identified gunmen on Saturday, September 23.

    The Governor, who described the act as barbaric and unacceptable, has directed security agencies to immediately commence operations to ensure the safe release of the duo.

    He called on the people of the State to remain calm, as his administration would do everything possible to make the State safe for all.

    “The kidnappers have made contacts with the family of Mr Erukaa but are yet to contact Mr Abo’s family,” the statement stated

    Several gunmen had stormed the the commissioner’s residence in Zaki-Biam, Ukum LGA and kidnapped him.

    Eyewitnesses said that the kidnappers who came on four motorcycles, ordered everyone in the house, including the his wife and children, to lie face down and took him away to an unknown destination.

    The witnesses said the abductors compelled the commissioner at gun point to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles while a gunman sandwitched him.

    Mr Aboh was sworn in as a member of the Benue State Executive Council on August 29.

    He hails from Ukum Local Government Area of Sankera axis, a major flashpoint of criminal activities with rampant killings and kidnappings for years now.

  • BREAKING: Benue Commissioner for information kidnapped

    BREAKING: Benue Commissioner for information kidnapped

    The Benue State Government has confirmed the abduction of Mr Matthew Aboh, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, on Sunday evening.

    The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, confirmed this through a text message on Monday in Makurdi.

    According to Sir Kula, Gov. Hyacinth Alia had received the unfortunate news and had already directed security operatives to ensure his safe release.

    The abduction allegedly took place about 8:00 pm.

    “Yes, we received the unfortunate news, and the governor has already detailed security operatives to do everything possible to ensure his safe release,” the text message read.

    Reports indicate that several gunmen stormed the commissioner’s residence in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area and kidnapped him.

    Eyewitnesses stated that the kidnappers who came on four motorcycles, ordered everyone in the house, including Mrs Aboh and children, to lie face down before they took the Commissioner to an unknown destination.

    The witnesses said the abductors compelled the commissioner at gunpoint to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles while a gunman sandwiched him.

    Mr Aboh was sworn in as a member of the Benue State Executive Council on August 29.

    He hails from Ukum LGA of Sankera axis, a major flashpoint of criminal activities with rampant killings and kidnappings for years now.

    Meanwhile, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, said the Command was yet to receive the report on the incident.

  • Tribunal upholds Gov. Alia’s election

    Tribunal upholds Gov. Alia’s election

    The Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Makurdi on Saturday upheld the victory of Gov. Hyacinth Alia of the APC in the March 18 Governorship Election.

    Delivering the judgment, the Chairman of the panel, Justice Ibrahim Karaye, held that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain pre election issues raised by the petitioners, Titus Uba and PDP.

    Karaye, who read the unanimous judgment, stated that only the Federal High Court had the exclusive jurisdiction to entertain issues bordering on pre-election matters.

    He further said the petitioners’ case was also an abuse of court processes because the same case was filed by the petitioners before the Federal High Court Abuja Division and its judgment was not challenged by the petitioners.

    He said the petitioners lacked locus standi to challenge the nomination of the 2nd and 3rd respondents by the 4th respondent since they were not members of the 4th respondent.

    Justice Karaye further said that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of forgery against the 3rd respondent before the tribunal.

    He said the 2nd and 3rd respondents were qualified to contest the March 18 Governorship Election and therefore, dismissed the case.

    The petitioners, Titus Uba and the PDP, had dragged the respondents, INEC, Hyacinth Alia, Dr Sam Ode, and the APC before the tribunal, challenging their declaration by the INEC.

    The petitioners argued that the 2nd and 3rd respondents, Gov Alia and Dr Ode, were at the time of contesting the election, not qualified to contest the March 18 Governorship Election.

    They averred that the 4th respondent – the APC – did not follow the provisions of the law in the nomination of the governorship and deputy governorship candidates.

    They also alleged that the 3rd respondent had presented a forged certificate to the 1st respondent, INEC, therefore, should be disqualified.

    They, therefore, prayed among other things, for the nullification of their election and declare the petitioners as winners of the election, having scored second highest lawful votes.

    The also contended that having not qualified to contest the election, their votes should be declared invalid and certificates earlier issued to them by INEC be withdrawn.

    NAN reports that the petitioners in the suit did not challenge the result of the March 18 Benue Governorship Election but qualifications of the candidates.

    However, the respondents in their counter arguments, urged the tribunal to dismiss the suit in its entirety as it was an abuse of court processes.

    The respondents stated that the Federal High Court Abuja Division, had before the election, delivered judgment on the same matter which was filed by the petitioners but they did not appeal the judgment till date.

    They also said that the issues raised were all pre election matter and only the Federal High Court had the exclusive jurisdiction to entertain same.

    The 2nd and 3rd respondents clearly stated that since the prayers sought by the petitioners were all pre-election matters, the petitioners case was status bar and should be struck out.

    They said the petitioners lacked locus standi to challenge the nomination of candidates of other political parties as they were mere meddlesome interlopers.

  • LAGDO dam: We’re working with stakeholders to reduce impact – NEMA

    LAGDO dam: We’re working with stakeholders to reduce impact – NEMA

    …says Delta, Edo, Rivers, Taraba others should be on the lookout

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has allayed the fears of Nigerians over the release of the excess water from Lagdo dam, which is located on River Benue in the Republic of Cameroon.

    The Agency in a statement by its press unit, signed by Ezekiel Manzo, said it is working with critical stakeholders at the Federal, States and Local Governments to ensure that the release do not cause much negative impacts on the low-lying communities along the states that would be affected.

    The statement reads: “The states on the downstream of River Benue are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States.

    “The Agency envisaged this release of excess water from the Lagdo dam, taken note of the likely impacts and considered in the preparations for mitigation and response to the 2023 flood alert.

    “Information available from the flow level of River Benue at Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) gauging station in Makurdi stood at 8.97 meters as of August 25th, 2023, compared to 8.80 meters on the same date in 2022”.

    NEMA also stated that, “In contrast, NIHSA has also provided that the flow level of the River Niger system, specifically at Niamey, Niger Republic, remains stable at a normal level of 4.30 meters. Similarly, inland dams including Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro reported consistent flow regimes.

    “With regards to the hydrological station downstream the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers in Lokoja, Kogi State, are currently within normal limits. The downstream monitoring station, however, registered a flow level of 7.80 meters on August 25th, 2023, compared to 8.24 meters on the same date in 2022”, the agency added.

  • NNPP governorship candidate resigns from party

    NNPP governorship candidate resigns from party

    Prof. Bem Angwe, the governorship candidate on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Benue in the 2023 general elections, has withdrawn his membership from the party.

    Angwe’s resignation was contained in a letter he personally signed and addressed to the NNPP Ward Chairman of Mbatyu in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue.

    Angwe, who is also the former National Legal Adviser of NNPP, withdrew his membership ahead of the NNPP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for Aug. 29, 2023.

    “Taking cognizance of the fact that the current development in the party is not conducive nor healthy for my continued stay in, and membership of the party;

    “Desirous of resuming my professional academic activities and my full involvement in the protection and enhancement of human rights in Nigeria as we strive to build a strong and better Nigerian nation based on the principles of freedom, equality and justice;

    “In compliance with the resolution of the elders and stakeholders of the party in my immediate community in Benue and their further advice that I should accordingly withdraw my membership of the party;

    “And in accordance with the NNPP Constitution 2022 (as amended), I, on this day of 26th August, 2023, withdrew my membership of the NNPP.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, I have communicated the notice of my NNPP membership withdrawal to the party Chairman of the Mbatyu NNPP Ward Executive Committee in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.”

    The former governorship candidate thanked the Ward, Local Government and State party’s executive members for their support.

    “I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to my party members, supporters and all my well-wishers throughout Benue State and Nigeria as a whole for the great support they accorded me during my governorship campaigns.

    “I salute the courage and commitment of all those who believe in me and who made extra efforts in taking a walk with me to the end during this very difficult period.

    “I wholeheartedly assure you that I shall at all times carry you along in my future endeavours,” he said.

    Recall that NNPP had been enmeshed into crisis that led to the suspension of the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Dr Boniface Aneibonam and the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major.

  • JUST IN: Ex-Customary Court President murdered in Benue

    JUST IN: Ex-Customary Court President murdered in Benue

    Ex-President of the Benue State Customary Court of Appeal, Mrs Margaret Igbeta has been found dead at her residence at Wantor Kwange Street, Makurdi metropolis, Benue State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports information available indicates that Igbeta was allegedly murdered on 24th August 2023 by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

    Meanwhile, the police say they have laid a manhunt over Igbeta’s death via intelligent investigation.

    Details were still sketchy to ascertain whether the retired Judge who was found in a pool of her blood was shot or stabbed by her murderers.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) Benue state Command, SP Catherine Anene, who said she was on transit back to the state solicited for time to enable her get the details of the incident.

    “Let me get to town and understand what happened,” the PPRO said in a text message.

    The Divisional Police Officer, (DPO), SP Daniel Ezeala, could not be reached for comments, but a reliable police source confirmed the incident saying, “Yes, it’s true. Yesterday, Thursday, August 24, 2023, her lifeless body was discovered in her house but the corpse was not looking too okay again meaning that it couldn’t have happened yesterday, may be day before yesterday.”

    Late Mrs Margaret Igbetar was born October 17,1950, in Mbape, Shangev-ya, Tsar-Mbaduku, in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue state.

    She was married with seven children; two sons and five daughters.

    She started her career as the Assistant Registrar, Grade I at the Area Court, Katsina- Ala, Benue State, 1971, worked at NYSC, Ministry of Justice, Minna, Niger State, 1976, Pupil State Counsel, ministry of Justice, Benue State, 1976-77, and rose to the position of Co-ordinator, Customary Court of Appeal, The Judiciary, Benue State, 1993-95.

    She was further appointed Judge, Customary Court of Appeal, a position she held from 1995 to 2003.

    Late Justice Igbeta was the founding member of International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA), Benue state, a life member, first Chairperson of FIDA Benue branch and a National Trustee of the association.