TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benue State

  • Benue Saga: President Buhari will never be part of unconstitutional act – Presidency

    Benue Saga: President Buhari will never be part of unconstitutional act – Presidency

    The Presidency has condemned attempts in some quarters to drag the name of President Muhammadu Buhari into the on-going political saga in Benue State House of Assembly.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, dissociated the president from the developments.

    Adesina described as paranoia the statements issued by different interest groups, insinuating that the president might have a hand in the developments.

    “This is paranoia at its worst, coming from people who have wittingly positioned themselves against the clean-up of the country and the way we do things,’’ he said.

    The presidential aide noted that the allegation was being made against Buhari when he was attending the ECOWAS/ECCAS Summit in Togo.

    He added that strident attempts were being made to drag Buhari into the unfolding drama between the executive and the legislature in Benue.

    Adesina said Buhari would never be part of any unconstitutional act and any attempt to link him with the inglorious past when minority number of lawmakers impeached governors would not stick.

    He said “It will simply be like water off the duck’s back. Those with open minds know this, but those who cavil would rather source everything untoward to the president.

    “It is murky ground in which they are now marooned as fallout of their resistance to change in the country.

    “When it suits them, they preach separation of powers and true federalism, and in another breath, they call on the president to interfere brazenly in affairs at state level.

    “President Buhari will always stand by all that is noble and fair and will reject attempts to drag him into infamy.

    “People who stoke fires by deliberate acts of omission or commission, and then summon the president to come and put it out will find that this president will be guided by the Constitution at all times, no matter the attempt to entangle him in unwarranted controversies.’’

     

  • Gov. Ortom gives quit notice to Public/Civil Servants eyeing partisan politics

    As activities for the 2019 general elections build up, Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue has served quit notice to all Public and Civil Servants eyeing partisan politics in the state.

    In a circular by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Ijohor (SAN), conveying the directive, the governor asked such officers to resign before May 29 or face sanctions.

    The circular read in part: “The Executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has directed that all Political Appointees/Civil Servants on the pay roll of the Benue State Government, who wish to seek public offices in the 2019 General Elections, should as a matter of necessity resign their appointments, latest 29 May, 2018.”

    He, however, warned against canvassing for votes and campaigning for elective offices without resigning.

    The governor also warned that such actions would attract sanctions and hence a breach of the governors’ directive.

    Some of the lawyers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on the directive, said the governor had the right under the Electoral Act to ask for their resignation since they were “mere” political appointees.

    They also explained that both Public and Civil Service rules prohibited officers from partaking in partisan politics while in active service.

     

  • Mass burial: Tears, protests as corpses of 2 Catholic Priests, 17 others arrive Benue [Photos]

    The corpses of Reverend Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, and seventeen parishioners killed by herdsmen who invaded the St. Ignatius Quasi Parish at Ukpor, Mbalom in Gwer West Local Government Council of Benue state, has the State for mass burial.

    The 19 victims of the attack, amidst tears and protests, are being buried at the Ayati pilgrim site near Ikpayongo in Gwer East Local Government Area of the State.

    TheNewsGuru reports Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has arrived the venue as part of guests at the programme, and the protests by Catholics against killings in Nigeria is taking side-by-side the funeral service.

    The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) had fixed Tuesday, May 22 as a day of protests for Catholic faithful across the country. Tuesday 22nd of May was also fixed as the day the Reverend Fathers and others who lost their lives would be laid to rest.

    The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi had expressed regret at the nonchalant attitude of security agencies in containing incessant killings across the country by herdsmen.

    Reverend Father Moses Iorapuu, Director of Communications, in a statement, had said the Diocese has been active in providing food and relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) since the onset of hostilities in the State and wondered why it could be marked as a target of attacks.

    See photos:

     

  • Breaking: Slayed Reverend Fathers for burial as Catholic Church declares protest

    Breaking: Slayed Reverend Fathers for burial as Catholic Church declares protest

    The burial has been announced of the two Catholic Priests, Reverend Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, killed by herdsmen even as the Catholic Church has declared a day of protests for Catholic faithful across the country.

    TheNewsGuru reports the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) fixed Tuesday, May 22 as a day of protests for Catholic faithful across the country. Tuesday 22nd of May has also been fixed as the day the Reverend Fathers and others who lost their lives would be laid to rest.

    The date was announced via a Sunday Bulletin which was circulated to all Dioceses of the church yesterday.

    The announcement, entitled “Peaceful Demonstration,” read: “The CBCN has directed that every Diocese in Nigeria should organize a peaceful demonstration/rally against the barbaric but intolerable killing of two priests and 17 others by herdsmen last month in Benue State, Date May 22, 2018. Time:10am, as the funeral of the innocent victims would be going on.

    “Details of how this all important solidarity action will take place in our dioceses will be communicated through the parish priests. Every Christian and all men and women of goodwill are hereby called to participate.”

    Reverend Fathers Joseph and Felix and the 17 others were killed by herdsmen who invaded St. Ignatius Quasi Parish during morning mass at Ukpor, Mbalom in Gwer West Local Government Council of Benue state.

    The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi had expressed regret at the nonchalant attitude of security agencies in containing incessant killings across the country by herdsmen.

    Reverend Father Moses Iorapuu, Director of Communications, in a statement, had said the Diocese has been active in providing food and relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) since the onset of hostilities in the State and wondered why it could be marked as a target of attacks.

     

  • Again! Police parade over 50 vicious bandits, criminal militias [PHOTOS]

    Again! Police parade over 50 vicious bandits, criminal militias [PHOTOS]

    After the arrest and parade of notorious armed gang terrorizing Benue, Taraba and neighbouring States, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has yet again paraded fifty six vicious bandits and criminal militias.

    TheNewsGuru reports the fifty six vicious bandits and criminal militias, according to the Police, are responsible for several killings of innocent people, kidnappings and armed robbery in Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna state, to other villages and towns in Zamfara State.

    Following the killing of over 40 persons by suspected bandits at Gwaska in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, last weekend, President Muhammadu Buhari approved a new military battalion, a new Police Area Command and two additional Div Police HQs for the Birnin-Gwari area.

    The Kaduna State Police commissioner, Austin Iwar, said the police deployed over 150 personnel to the area as directed by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Sunday.

    With the enhancement of security, the Police arrested and paraded vicious and notorious suspects responsible for selling and supply of AK47 rifles and other firearms and ammunition to armed bandits, militias and criminal herdsmen/farmers in Benue, Taraba, and neighbouring states.

    TheNewsGuru reports the major breakthrough in the arrest of the notorious gang of dealers in prohibited firearms and ammunition in Benue and Taraba states was made known on Tuesday when the suspects were paraded at the Benue State Police Command Headquarters.

    However, the fifty six vicious bandits and criminal militias arrested were paraded on Thursday at the divisional police headquarters in Katari, Kaduna state.

    See photos:

    Again! Police parade over 50 vicious bandits, criminal militias

    Again! Police parade over 50 vicious

     

  • BREAKING: Suspected herdsmen slay 10 In renewed Benue attack

    Ten inhabitants were killed when suspected armed herdsmen attacked Saghev Ward in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

     

    The state government confirmed the attack and the casualty figure on Saturday in a statement by Mr Terver Akase, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom.

     

    TheNewsGuru reports that many innocent persons are feared killed during the attack which started on Friday night and lasted until the early hours of the next day.

     

    The communities affected by the attack are Tse-Abi, Tse-Ginde, Tse-Peviv, Tse-Ikyo, Agenke and Gbenke.

     

    “Ten corpses have so far been recovered with many others injured. The armed herdsmen also burnt numerous houses, shops and other property in the area.

     

    “This mindless attack was unprovoked, and we urge security agencies to arrest the herdsmen behind the killings for prosecution,” the statement read.

     

    However, Police operatives in the State are yet to issue any statement concerning the attack.

     

    Recall that on 6thof March 2018, no fewer than 26 persons were confirmed killed in a bloody attack on Omusu village, at Ojigo Ward, Edumoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue state by suspected herdsmen a day President Muhammadu Buhari through his media aide, promised to visit the state.

    Again, herdsmen invade Taraba community, kill five

     

  • How troops avert break down of law, order in Benue state

    Troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade on Sunday, March 18, prevented the breakdown of law and order in Agasha town in Guma local government area of Benue state.

    This is contained in a statement by the director, army public relations, Brigadier-General Texas Chukwu, who said a protest by some youths in the area almost degenerated into chaos.

    “Sequel to the arrest of 4 youths suspected to be members of a syndicate which rustled 20 cattle, youths numbering about 500 staged a protest demanding the release of the suspects from the custody of a sister security agency.

    “Timely response of own troops prevented the situation from degenerating beyond control. The situation is closely being monitored as patrols continue to dominate the general area,” the statement read.

    Recently, the troops arrested 18 herdsmen in the Kwata Sule, Mbayer, Yandev and Kaambee areas of the State.

    They were caught grazing their cows on farmlands, an act which is against the state’s anti-open grazing law.

    TheNewsGuru learnt that the troops, while on patrol on Saturday in the area, nabbed six herdsmen in Kwata Sule, while 12 others were arrested in Mbayer, Yandev and Kaambee areas for “destructive activities”.

    The herdsmen were reportedly handed over to the police for prosecution.

    According to the army, the troops, also in Chembe, Tse-Gundu, Tse-Iordye and Sbaor areas of the state, recovered two motorcycles, and 7.62mm special ammunition from two fleeing herdsmen.

    Meanwhile, in Bauchi State, troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, in the ongoing Operation Lafiya Dole on Saturday also encountered some members of a militia group at the Burra Junction in the Ningi Local Government Area of the state.

    The militiamen reportedly opened fire on the troops and at the end of the gun battle, four militiamen were killed, while the troops recovered five dane guns, 38 motorcycles and nine bicycles.

    Also, nine militiamen were arrested, while a soldier, who sustained gunshot injuries, had been evacuated to a hospital and receiving treatment.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, who confirmed the arrest of the herdsmen, said the troops were in pursuit of the fleeing herdsmen and militiamen.

    Chukwu said, “Troops have arrested six herdsmen in Kwata Sule, caught in the act of farmland destruction. Also, the troops apprehended 12 herdsmen in Mbayer and Yandev areas during the Presidential Assessment Team’s visit to the area. Two motorcycles were recovered from the herdsmen.

    “After the initial interrogation, the suspects were handed over to the police for further action.

    “Similarly, troops on patrol in the general areas of Chembe, Tse-Gundu, Tse-Iordye and Sbaor settlements sighted two herdsmen. They abandoned their motorcycle and fled. During the search of the general area, one round of 7.62mm special was discovered. We will continue to dominate the general area with patrols.”

     

  • Armed militia confess to Benue state govt. sponsorship – Army

    The Nigeria Army in Takum, Taraba, says it has arrested nine members of a Civilian Joint Task Force over alleged possession of five AK 47 rifles.

    The Spokesperson of the 13 Brigade, Capt. Kayode Owolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Calabar.

    According to Owolabi, the suspects were arrested by troops of 93 Battalion deployed to Arufu, a border town between Taraba and Benue.

    “Troops from the 93 Battalion on Monday Jan. 8 disarmed and arrested nine members of an armed militia known as civilian JTF in Taraba with five AK 47 rifles.

    “Before their arrest, reinforcement of Civilian JTF came to prevent the troops from arresting and transporting the suspects to 93 Battalion Headquarters.

    “During preliminary investigation, the suspects claimed that the weapons were issued to them by the Benue State Government. They also confirmed that they were 60 in number in their camp located in Pegie.

    “Additionally, they revealed that the Benue State Government pay them the sum of N60,000 monthly. They further revealed that they were trained by ex-service men and they were brought together from all the localities in Benue State.

    Owolabi said that the suspects were now helping the Army in its investigation before they would be handed over to the police for prosecution.

    He said that the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Ismaila Isa, had warned that no criminal under any guise would be spared.

    He thanked the public for providing timely and useful information that led to the arrest of the suspects, assuring that the Nigerian Army would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful and secure society.