TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benue

  • Suspected herdsmen attack IDPs camp, kill 7 – Ortom

    Suspected herdsmen attack IDPs camp, kill 7 – Ortom

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, on Tuesday confirmed an attack on Abagena Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Makurdi by suspected herdsmen, that left seven persons dead and many others injured.

    Ortom stated this when he visited the camp, where the IDPs were already protesting the attack by blocking the Makurdi-Lafia road.

    The governor said that the attacks were becoming unacceptable.

    He also said that more than 70 people were killed in Guma, Makurdi and Gwer West local government areas (LGAs), of the state in the last two weeks.

    “You have all seen what is happening within the last two weeks. We have lost over 70 people in Guma, Makurdi and Gwer West LGAs alone, in addition to what you have seen here.

    “Many are in the hospital apart from the seven that were killed. But I want to say that our patience is being overstretched in spite of our preaching of rule of law and due process. You can see that the people are fed up.’’

    Ortom urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to take full responsibility of the security challenges facing the country as he is the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces.

    He also called on other governors to wake up and impress on the president to address the country on the ongoing insecurity in the country.

    “Mr President must rise up; he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He has taken oath of office to secure and protect lives and property.

    “This (attack) is not acceptable, this cannot continue. Mr President must rise up and address the nation.

    “My colleagues, the governors must rise and impress on the President to call a security submit, if possible to declare a state of emergency on security so that all hands will be on deck to address the situation in the country,’’ he said.

  • Seven die, 50 houses destroyed in Benue tanker explosion

    Seven die, 50 houses destroyed in Benue tanker explosion

    Seven persons have been confirmed dead following a tanker explosion in Oshigbudu, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

    The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Emmanuel Shior confirmed development on Sunday in Makurdi, the state capital.

    He said about 50 houses were destroyed from the information he got the local government chairman, adding that a detailed assessment would be carried out today when he visits the scene of the explosion.

    Shior conveyed the condolences of the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom who he said, has directed for a comprehensive audit of the fire incident and report back.

    He also commiserated with those who lost their loved ones and properties to the fire.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports and an indigene of the area, Ojotu Ojeme, had confirmed the incident via his Facebook post.

    He also commiserated with the victims of the explosion, calling on the government at all levels and spirited individuals to help residents of the area.

    “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.”

  • Armed men butcher family of four, three others in Benue

    Armed men butcher family of four, three others in Benue

    Armed men suspected to be killer herdsmen, have slaughtered a family of four and three other residents of Mbamondu community, Modern Market Council Ward in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue state.

    TheNewsGuru gathered that the incident occurred at about 1am Saturday morning when the assailants invaded the community.

    Aside those butchered, scores of other residents were said to have sustained life threatening injuries and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    The State Commissioner for Land Survey and Solid Minerals, Mr. Bernard Unenge who is also a native of the community, confirmed the attack.

    The Commissioner who said he was informed of the incident early hours of Saturday, lamented that the attack had occurred before the arrival of security operatives.

    According to him, the seven dead bodies recovered on Saturday morning have been deposited in a morgue at the the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.

    “We discovered seven dead bodies that we have already deposited at the mortuary. Five persons were also injured and three of them are very critical”, he added.

    Recall that suspected Fulani herdsmen militias same night, invaded a community in Gwer-West Local Government Area of the state, killing no fewer than 11 persons, while others were left injured.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, Anene Sewuese Catherine had confirmed the killing of 11 persons, stating that security operatives had been deployed to the area to forestall further attack.

    However, she was unable to state the level of casualty.

     

  • Buhari displeased, saddened over killing of soldiers in Benue – Magashi

    Buhari displeased, saddened over killing of soldiers in Benue – Magashi

    President Muhammadu Buhari is displeased and saddened over the killings of 11 soldiers in Bonta Village, Konshisha Local Government Area Benue.

    The Minister of Defence, rtd Gen. Bashir Magashi, made this known on Thursday when he led Service Chiefs and other top military officers on a visit to Gov. Samuel Ortom at the Benue Peoples House, in Makurdi.

    ”The Nigerian Armed Forces is deeply saddened following the killing of 11 soldiers and a Captain in Konshisha LGA of Benue.

    ”This will not discourage the Army from carrying out its duties of protecting lives and property in the country.

    ”To boost the morale of the soldiers, perpetrators of the dastardly act must be apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law,” he said.

    In his remarks, Gov Samuel Ortom, expressed deep sympathies to the President and the armed forces over the barbaric act.

    ”I have not slept since the killing of the soldiers,” he said.

    Ortom acknowledged the enormous support and contributions of security agencies, especially the military in ensuring peace in the state.

    The governor said he had directed stakeholders in Konshisha Local Government Area to fish out the perpetrators.

    He pledged his administration’s support and cooperation with security agencies to ensure those responsible for the dastardly act were apprehended and brought to justice.

    Ortom therefore prayed for the restoration of peace and security in all parts of the country.

  • Just in: Nigerian army buries 12 soldiers killed by Benue militia[Photos]

    Just in: Nigerian army buries 12 soldiers killed by Benue militia[Photos]

    The military authorities on Monday buried and unveiled the identities of the 11 soldiers and an officer killed by a militia in Bonta community of Konshisha Council Area of Benue State.

    Their bodies reportedly arrived a military cemetery at Wurukum in Makurdi for burial on Monday.

    Recall the military authorities had earlier announced the killing of 11 soldiers who were on peacekeeping mission in Konshisha and Ukpute-Ainu communities in the state.

    Also, the full identities, photos of the fallen heroes was seen in the funeral program.

    See photos:

    Scene of the burial of the slain soldiers in Makurdi on Monday.
    Scene of the burial of the slain soldiers in Makurdi on Monday.

  • How we found one officer, 10 soldiers declared missing all dead in Benue – Nigerian Army

    How we found one officer, 10 soldiers declared missing all dead in Benue – Nigerian Army

    The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of one officer and 10 soldiers who are on stabilisation operation in Benue State by yet to be identified criminals.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Yerima said the troops were initially declared missing which led to the deployment of a joint search and rescue team comprising army troops and personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke.

    He said the search and rescue team unfortunately found all the missing troops dead in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state.

    According to him, while the bodies of the slain troops were evacuated immediately, efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime with a view to bringing them to Justice.

    Yerima said that Nigerian Army under the leadership of the Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, would remain resolute in ensuring stability in Benue and other parts of the country that are affected by the activities of criminal gangs.

    He gave assurance that the army authority was determined to ensure that the unprovoked attack does not disrupt the general peace being enjoyed by the local inhabitants.

    According to him, the COAS has therefore directed commanders on the ground to ensure sustained efforts to fish out and deal decisively with these bad elements who are threatening the peace in the area.

    “It may be recalled that Benue which was a hot bed for violent clashes has been enjoying relative peace following the successes achieved by the various security agencies who have been working tirelessly to safeguard law abiding citizens and ensure they go about their legitimate business without fear of harassment by criminals.

    “The Nigerian army appeal to the public to volunteer useful information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act,” he said.

  • Benue police to impose liquor acts over insecurity

    Benue police to impose liquor acts over insecurity

    Police in Benue State are to begin the enforcement of liquor acts so as to curb the insecurity in the state.

     

    The acts, according to the state Command’s spokesperson, DSP, Catherine Anene, will forbid beer parlours from operating beyond 10.00 pm.

    The acts also stipulate that no drinking of alcohol from 6am to 1.59pm.

    DSP Anene said the Command is only implementing the liquor act which had been in existence.

    Anene said, “There is a liquor act which stipulates that people who sell beer or alcohol in beer parlours and open places shouldn’t be there beyond 10pm. That is part of the law, there are other provisions of the law.

    “But in Benue for a long time now, people sell alcohol beyond 10pm and some till the next day. So when the new Commissioner came, he said that will encourage crime. When people drink so much even beyond normal hours, they begin to misbehave and it encourages crime.

    “So we want to enforce liquor act and that is why we started enforcing the act. The act has been there but there was no enforcement,” she added.

    The Command’s spokesperson noted that the state Commissioner of Police, Audu Madaki, had directed the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the state to invite beer parlour operators within their area and find out if they have a license to sell beer and if they understand what the act says about the sale of alcohol generally.

    “The act has several portions which will be enforced to beef up security in the state.

    Meanwhile, beer parlour operators in Makurdi, the Benue State capital are groaning in pains over the planned clampdown on their businesses.

     

  • Assassination attempt: Ortom runs to God in RCCG, thanks him for saving his life

    Assassination attempt: Ortom runs to God in RCCG, thanks him for saving his life

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has appreciated God for preserving his life during the attack launched on him on Saturday by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen at Tyo-mu along Makurdi – Gboko road.

    Recall that the governor escaped death on Saturday when armed men opened fire on his convoy while returning from his farm.

    Ortom, in a bid to render his appreciation to the Supreme God for sparing his life, worshiped at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Signs and Wonders Mega Parish, Makurdi on Sunday.

    During the church service, Governor Ortom called on Nigerians with good conscience to save the country from drifting into anarchy and lawlessness.

    He restated that his life is in the hands of God, adding that no man can kill him.

    He wondered why a certain ethnic group in the country would be shielded and allowed to use its militia arm to wreak havoc on perceived enemies.

  • Ortom: Benue PDP Reps caucus leader, Hon Okwu condems attack

    Ortom: Benue PDP Reps caucus leader, Hon Okwu condems attack

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    The Benue Peooles Democratic Party, PDP caucus leader in the House of Representatives, Hon Samson Okwu has condemned the attack on Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

    Okwu who disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Abuja described the attempted assassination of Ortom as barbaric and that the accusation finger should be allowed to comb all directions.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG recalls that the Benue Governor’s convoy was attacked in Markurdi on Saturday afternoon but escaped by the whiskers.

    The governor had to run a race of his life as he had to cover one and a half kilometers to take cover as bullets were rained on his convoy.

    The Benue Reps caucus leader said” a man should not be killed for saying the truth on security matters in Nigeria.
    “Ortom is a peace loving Niggerian that should not be sacrificed for baring his mind on the terrible state of insecurity in Nigeria.

    “We give God all the glory that our Governor escaped the assassin’s bullets but I repeat , our Governor must not be killed for saying the truth.

  • Ortom denies building ethanol producing company in Benue

    Ortom denies building ethanol producing company in Benue

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue on Monday said he was not building any ethanol producing company in the state.
    Ortom made the clarification when he visited Pure Biotech Company Limited at Tyo-Mo, a settlement in Makurdi, the state capital.
    He said that he had nothing to do with the company and was surprised to hear about its existence.
    The governor disclosed that a friend notified him about the company and how some people were speculating that he was the owner of the company.
    He said that with his visit and the explanation offered by the company representative, Mr Stephen Numbeve, it was clear that he had nothing to do with it.
    Ortom also accepted the apology from the company for not following the laid down government procedures to acquire and develop the land and urged them to immediately rectify it.
    He also urged the management of the firm to immediately erect a signpost to educate the people about its activities.
    Ortom charged the host community to provide security for the facility, even as he directed security agencies to provide surveillance and patrols to encourage more investors to the state.
    He called on private investors within and outside the country to come and explore the investment opportunities available in Benue.
    The governor said that the company would provide job opportunities for youths in the state thereby reducing insecurity.
    Earlier, representative of the Pure Biotech Company Limited, Numbeve, apologised to the governor and Benue government for not following the laid down procedures for acquiring land in the state.
    Numbeve said the managing director had planned to pay a courtesy call on the governor to inform him of their activities, but was held back in China as a result of the second wave of COVID-19.
    He said that the firm was into Ethanol production and would need 500 and 300 metric tonnes of fresh and dried cassava daily.
    Numbeve said the company when completed would employ no fewer than 2,500 persons.
    He said the company acquired 25.4 hectares of land for the construction of the company in November 2020, adding that work on the site commenced in January.