TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benue State

  • Bandits enter Benue market in disguise, kill 1, injure 9

    Bandits enter Benue market in disguise, kill 1, injure 9

    The Benue Police Command has announced that bandits, disguised as buyers, killed one and injured nine persons at Abaji Market, in Katsina-ala LG area of the State, on Wednesday.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, made this known in a statement in Makurdi on Thursday.

    The statement said that the bandits, who disguised themselves as buyers, came into the Market at about 6:30pm on Wednesday and started shooting sporadically.

    “At about 6:30pm on Wednesday, while traders were closing from Abaji Market in Katsina-ala, bandits who disguise themselves as buyers started shooting sporadically and killed one person while nine others were injured.

    “The joint operation of Police and other security agencies returned fire and repelled the bandits to the forest with gunshot injuries where they have been cordoned for search.”

    She said the corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Abaji, while the injured persons were receiving treatment at General Hospital Katsina-ala.

    The statement further disclosed that the Command had deployed more patrol teams to the scene, to assist officers on ground with the cordon and search operation.

  • IGP orders full investigation into attack on Benue Governor

    IGP orders full investigation into attack on Benue Governor

    The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has ordered full-scale investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack and reported attempt on the life of Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue.

    The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Orton was reportedly attacked on Saturday in his farm at the outskirts of Makurdi, the State Capital.

    Mba said that the I-G condemned the incident and directed the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of Benue to strengthen and improve security in the state, particularly around the Governor.

    He said that the I-G had also directed the CP to carry out painstaking investigations into the incident and ensure the arrest and prosecution of persons indicted in the course of the investigations.

    According to him, to ensure a speedy, thorough and conclusive investigations into the matter, the I-G has ordered the immediate deployment of a team of specialised investigators from the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID).

    He said that the deployment was to provide additional investigative support to the Police Command in Benue.

    Mba called for calm and pledged the commitment of the Force to continue to do its best in stabilising the security situation in the country.

    He said that the force would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to advance the fight against violent crimes and other criminal activities across the country.

  • Benue Govt places N5m bounty on killers of Dr Suswam

    Benue Govt places N5m bounty on killers of Dr Suswam

    The Benue Government has placed N5m bounty on any useful information that would lead to the arrest of the killers of late Dr Terkula Suswam.

    Gov. Samuel Ortom made this known to newsmen after the Expanded Security Council meeting in Makurdi on Thursday.

    Ortom also said that the council also declared total war against criminals in the state.

    Recall that late Suswam was killed along with his aide, Mr Solomon Utanor, on Monday evening in front of ELOHIM PLAZA, beside Ashi Polytechnic, located opposite his personal residence in Anyiin, Logo Local Government Area of the state.

    The deceased was the immediate elder brother to Sen. Gabriel Suswam, the immediate past governor of Benue.

    Ortom said that the council, while condemning the assassination of Dr Suswam, would do everything to ensure that the killers are brought to book.

    “The Council also decided to place a bounty of N5m on any information from anyone that would lead to the arrest of those who assassinated Dr Terkura Suswam,” the governor declared.

    He further said that the council reviewed the ban on the use of motorcycles earlier imposed in Ukum and Katisna-Ala Local Government Areas to cover Logo council and banned the use of old model Toyota Corolla, popularly known as Duck Nyash in the three affected council areas.

    Ortom further reviewed the dusk-to-dawn curfew earlier imposed on Katisna-Ala and Ukum local government areas to also cover Logo area.

    The council also ordered that all commerical vehicles operating within the affected local governments must do proper documentation and must load only in the motor parks.

    According to him, the council further directed security agencies to arrest anyone seen driving the banned car and motorcycles.

    He said the decision to ban the use of such vehicles in the area was that most crimes were carried out using the model of the car.

    “The Council has declared total war against any criminal element not just those who assassinated our brother Terkura Suswam but against all bandits and other criminals.

    “The Security agencies have assured that they will go after them and by the grace of God apprehend them,” said Ortom.

    On security threats facing boarding schools in parts of the country, the council resolved that the Ministry of Education should sensitise schools especially boarding ones on security tips.

    The council further constituted a sensitisation monitoring committee headed by the Special Adviser to the governor on Security, retired Col. Paul Hemba, he said.

  • I’m not in Benue to romance any criminal – New CP

    I’m not in Benue to romance any criminal – New CP

    The new Benue State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Audu Madaki, says he is not in the state to romance any criminal.

    Madaki, who stated this on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy call on Gov. Samuel Ortom, warned that whosoever contravened any law would be prosecuted accordingly.

    The 35th commissioner of police in the state said that all criminals would be punished in accordance with the laws of the land.

    He said that since assumption of office on Feb. 22, he had put in place a robust crime prevention mechanism, aimed at mitigating criminality in the state.

    Madaki also said that he has ordered improved surveillance around the houses of all VIPs in the state, as a way of preventing possible cases of kidnapping.

    While assuring the governor and people of the state of practical policing under his leadership, the police commissioner said that he would ensure enthronement of rule of law, while jungle justice of any kind would not be condoned.

    In his remarks, Ortom assured security agencies operating in the state of his administration’s continued support for the safety of lives and property.

    Ortom said that his administration would not interfere in the cause of security agencies delivering on their mandates.

    He also acknowledged the competence of the new CP to deliver on his assignment, based on his credentials.

    The governor commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) for sending such an experienced officer to the state.

    He tasked security operatives on professionalism and respect for human rights, even as he commended the joint security outfit, codenamed: ‘Operation Zenda’ for its strides in dealing with security.

    Madaki, before his posting to Benue, had served as CP in Adamawa Command and CP Welfare, Force Headquarters, Abuja, among others.

  • Troops eliminate 3 bandits, recover arms in Benue

    Troops eliminate 3 bandits, recover arms in Benue

    The Defence Headquarters says troops of Sector-1 Operation Whirl Stroke on Sunday eliminated three bandits and recovered arms and ammunition in an encounter at Tsehombe-Adaka village in Benue.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Monday, said the troops responded to a distress call about an attack by suspected armed herdsmen in the community.

    Enenche said troops immediately mobilised to the location leading to a shootout between troops and bandits.

    According to him, the gallant troops overwhelmed the bandits by superior firepower, following which troops successfully neutralised three of the bandits while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “Troops recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with one magazine containing 5 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

    “The gallant troops have continued to dominate the area with aggressive patrols to deter further attacks, while efforts are ongoing to locate and neutralise other bandits that might still be hibernating in the area,” he said.

    Enenche, however, urged members of the public to continue to provide credible information to the troops operating within their localities.

  • Strange ailment in Benue alarms Senate

    Strange ailment in Benue alarms Senate

    The Senate has urged the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre (NAVRC) to investigate the outbreak of an unidentified ailment in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue.

    The upper chamber of the National Assembly also urged the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to promptly put up surveillance to contain the disease and see to the treatment of victims, while protecting others from further contracting it.

    The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Sen. Abba Moro (PDP-Benue) during plenary on Wednesday.

    The motion is tagged: ‘Urgent need to deal with the outbreak of a strange ailment said to be Yellow Fever ravaging Okpeilo-Otukpa and Itabano-Owukpa communities in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue’.

    Moving the motion, Moro said that the ailment had not yet been effectively diagnosed by health authorities.

    He, however, said that the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services had been able to intervene to some extent, having collected samples and sent same to National Reference Laboratory.

    The lawmaker said this was to establish the kind of organism that was causing the ailment.

    He said that the death toll was increasing, adding that the disease was spreading to other communities.

    The resolutions were unanimously adopted by the lawmakers after a voice vote pronounced by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

    The Benue state government had said no fewer than 17 lives were lost in the communities in November.

    Some of the symptoms of the illness include fever, abdominal pain, and general body weakness, while some stool and vomit had traces of blood.

  • NASS fires back at Fashola over failed roads in Benue

    NASS fires back at Fashola over failed roads in Benue

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, has debunked claims that the National Assembly was responsible for the deplorable state of roads in Benue State as alleged recently by the Minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

    Fashola was quoted to have made the allegation on Monday in his office in Abuja during a courtesy visit by retired Generals and ‘other leaders of thought’ from Benue South Senatorial District led by Air Vice Marshal Morgan, following complaints about the deplorable state of roads in the senatorial district by members of the delegation.

    But in a reaction, the Senate Spokesman, Senator Ajibola Basiru, in a statement to the media on Sunday, said the National Assembly cannot and should not be held responsible for the deplorable state of roads whether in Benue State or any part of the country.

    According to Ajibola, the decision to respond to the claims by the Minister became imperative in view of setting the records straight, particularly against the backdrop of how critical the issue of road infrastructure is to the nation’s development.

    “The attention of the Senate was recently drawn to disturbing and erroneous claims made by the Minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

    “Much as the upper chamber would not want to engage in any unnecessary altercation with the Minister, it is however necessary to speak up because the issue of roads infrastructure is too important and controversial a matter to be ignored where the National Assembly has been fingered by a serving Minister.

    “The records must be set right so that the two arms of government should not be seen as working at cross purposes in the course of delivering good governance to electorates.

    “For the 2020 fiscal year, the National Assembly approved the request for 265, 868, 037,093 billion Naira for capital expenditure by the Executive.

    “The Executive later brought a revised allocation of 256, 734,983,667 billion Naira which we also appropriated. As we speak, even in the budget proposal for 2021, the Executive proposed a capital expenditure of 363, 266, 425, 976 billion Naira.

    “The upper chamber cannot help but wonder where Mr. Fashola got his figure of 600 billion naira which he said was proposed by his ministry and allegedly not approved by the National Assembly.

    “The Senate, therefore, invites Nigerians and specifically the Minister’s guests from Benue South Senatorial District to note that figures do not lie.”

    The Senate Spokesman listed three road constructions which are ongoing in Benue South to include: Oju -Adum Okuku road at N 91,180 000; Oturko Township road at N357 200, 000; and Oju/Loko – Oweto bridge at a cost of N357, 200, 000.

    The Senate spokesman further described allegations by the Minister for Works, suggesting that the National Assembly gave priority to constituency projects over other projects as an attempt to incite Nigerians against the Legislative arm of government.

    “On the Minister’s allegation that priority is given to constituency projects over other projects, is an attempt to set the National Assembly on collision course with the people they are democratically representing.

    “It should be emphasized, therefore, that never has allocations specifically meant for other projects been diverted to constituency projects as the later have specific allocations in the budget,” the Senate Spokesman said.

  • Benue Assembly passes Highly Infectious Diseases bill

    Benue Assembly passes Highly Infectious Diseases bill

    Benue House of Assembly on Thursday passed the Benue State Highly Infectious Diseases (Emergency, Prevention and Management) Bill, 2020.

    This followed a clause by clause consideration of the bill in the committee of the whole chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Christopher Adaji, during plenary.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Health and Human Services, Mr Joseph Okponya, led the debate on the bill.

    He explained that the ability to identify and respond to outbreaks promptly and thereby limiting their impact rest on the availability and implementation of appropriate laws.

    “The import of this bill is to prevent and contain the spread of highly infectious diseases such as coronavirus which constitutes a serious and imminent threat to the public health of the people of Benue State.

    “The bill issues regulations and guidelines to residents of the state whose lives are threatened daily by the deadly pandemic and inform them of the necessity of screening, testing and isolation

    “It equally encapsulates restriction of movements of people, events, gatherings and commercial activities as well as prohibits hoarding of foodstuffs, drugs and other essential supplies.

    “Furthermore, the bill imposes restrictions on transportation, storage and disposal of COVID-19 victims and cautions against the transmission and spread of false information regarding the pandemic.

    “It also aims at empowering and providing legal backing to the initiatives, activities and efforts of the Chief Executive Officer of the state, which is the Governor as well as the frontline health workers and practitioners that are directly involved in combating infectious diseases,” Okponya explained.

    He said the bill, when assented to by the governor, would empower the state governor to direct the restriction of movements within, into or out of the local health area, particularly, the movement of persons, vehicles and other means of transportation

    The lawmaker said the governor would also be empowered to establish health service posts in the entries and exits of Benue or any other parts within the state for the purpose of preventing or curbing the spread of highly infectious diseases.

    “The passage of the bill would further enable the state governor to provide isolation apartment or quarters for health care workers involved in managing highly infectious disease outbreak in accordance with global best practices, among others,” Okponya said.

    After various contributions from members in favour of the bill, Adaji invited the clerk of the House, Mr Terese Agena, to read it for the third time.

  • Again, suspected herdsmen wreak havoc in Benue, killing villagers

    Again, suspected herdsmen wreak havoc in Benue, killing villagers

    The Police Command in Benue, on Sunday confirmed that suspected herdsmen attacked and killed three persons at Adama village in Agatu Local Government Area of the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the attack in a statement in Makurdi.

    Anene described Adama village as a riverine community in Agatu with no motorable roads.

    He said that the Command has so far recovered three dead bodies, adding that more personnel had been deployed to the area to enforce law and order.

    The statement reads: “Information received on June 14, 2020 at about 05:30 hours that suspected herdsmen attacked Adama village, a riverine area in Agatu that is not motorable.

    “A team of police officers have been deployed to the area but the level of destruction and casualties are yet to be ascertained.

    “Further development will be communicated to you as soon as the team on ground start sending reports. Three corpses confirmed so far.”

  • Police confirm suspected herders’ attacks on Benue communities

    The Police Command in Benue has confirmed the attack on three communities in Guma Local Government area by suspected armed herders.

    Confirming the attack to newsmen on Sunday in Makurdi, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene, said the attack happened on Saturday night.

    She said that the command had yet to establish the number of casualties in the onslaught.

    Anene, however, said that normalcy had been restored in the affected communities by troops of the Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), who repelled the attack.

    Efforts to get reactions from Maj.-Gen Adeyemi Yekini, the Force Commander, OPWS, however, failed, as he referred all enquiries to the Information Directorate, Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

    One of the locals, who simply gave his name as Jonah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the telephone that the attackers had invaded three villages in the local government area.

    Jonah named the villages as Torkula, Kponko and Kaseyo, all in Mbadwem council ward.

    He said that the invaders stormed the villages and started shooting in all directions, thereby killing people and injuring others in the process.

    “As soon as the troops of the OPWS heard about the attack, they swiftly went on the trail of the invaders and sighted them in the bush.

    “In fact, there was a fierce exchange of gunfire between the troops of the OPWS and the armed herdsmen during which five of the herdsmen were killed, but with no casualty on the side of the troops,” the source said.