TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benue

  • Unknown gunmen assassinate retired DIG’s Wife in Benue

    Unknown gunmen assassinate retired DIG’s Wife in Benue

    The Benue Police Command has announced the assassination of Mrs Eunice Aghanya, wife of retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Mr Ibe Aghanya, in Makurdi, the Benue capital.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene said the victim was killed by unknown gunmen at her Makurdi residence, behind Kismet Hotel, on Saturday afternoon.

    She said since the incident, investigations had been ongoing.

    According to reports before her death, the deceased was the owner of Euniland Bread, Makurdi.

    Similarly, retired DIG Aghanya was a one time Benue State Commissioner of Police and later DIG in charge of Zone 2.

  • Ortom blows hot, says no more amnesty for criminals in Benue

    Ortom blows hot, says no more amnesty for criminals in Benue

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Saturday averred that there is no more amnesty for criminals in the state.

    The Governor who spoke at the burial of Terkura Suswam at Anyinne also bemoaned the conspiracy of silence among the people which he said was making the crisis to rage unabated.

    Terkura Suswam, the elder brother of former governor of the state, Senator Gabriel Suswam was murdered by some gunmen at his country home, Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of the state.

    Ortom who criticized in strong terms the criminality in the three local government area of Sankera, Logo, Ukum and Katsina-Alla said that his government would no longer negotiate with any criminal.

    He restated his administration’s commitment to go after those who have taken into criminality in the state, particularly Sankera axis.

    Ortom said, “From intelligence report, some members of the community are supporting these criminals which makes it difficult for security men.

    “I want to assure youths in the state not only in Sankera that we are going to go after these criminals and by the grace of God we will get them.

    “There is no more amnesty, no more negotiation with them (criminals) except they come back like the prodigal son and plead for forgiveness.

    The Governor also appealed to Sankera people to support the government and security agencies to be able to restore normalcy in the troubled local governments.

    Governor Ortom described the killing of late Terkura as appalling and regretted that his murder may discourage indigenes who wish to invest in their respective localities.

    According to him, “What our administration is encouraging is local investors since the government cannot provide a job for everybody. With the number of investments Terkura had established in Anyiin, thousands of youths were taken out of labour market.

    “So for him to be killed this way is very unfortunate. Other people who may be planning to come home to invest will be discouraged.”

  • Gunmen kill ex-Benue gov’s brother, aide

    Gunmen kill ex-Benue gov’s brother, aide

    Gunmen have killed Terkula Suswam, the elder brother of former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam.

    They also killed his aide in an attack that occurred at Anyiin in Gaambetiev of Logo Local Government Area of the state at about 8.40 pm on Tuesday night.

    An eyewitness said the late Suswam was working outside his compound when a Toyota car, popular known as “Dog Nyash” approached.

    The source said the victim suspected the vehicle’s occupants to be gunmen and attempt to run into the compound before he was shot.

    The gunmen also killed his aide who was with him.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the former governor is currently serving a first term mandate as Senator of the ninth assembly.

  • Benue releases confiscated 210 cows to owners after collecting N5m fine

    Benue releases confiscated 210 cows to owners after collecting N5m fine

    The Benue State Government has released 210 cows earlier confiscated by the state livestock guards at Mbala, Makurdi, and Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area of the state.

    The cows were returned to the owners after various fines worth N5million in total, were paid.

    The commander of the Benue State Livestock Guards, Linus Zaki, while returning the cattle to the owners, warned them to desist from violating the open grazing prohibition law of 2017 and seek approval for the establishment of ranches.

    He warned herdsmen not to flout the state’s anti-open grazing law, saying the state would not take it lightly with lawbreakers.

    “We arrested 140 cows in Mbala on February 11, 2021, and 70 cows in Gbajimba on February 16, 2021. Altogether, we are handing over 210 cows to their owners today.

    “We cannot stop implementing the law so the herdsmen must learn to follow the right procedure,” Zaki added.

    The release of the cows follows the payment of N2,000 each for the 210 cows with 140 of the animals held for 14 days while 70 of them were held for eight days, amounting to over N5 million revenue into the state coffers.

    Speaking on behalf of the owners of the cows, the secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Ibrahim Galma appealed for leniency saying the process of establishing ranches is too technical and scientific for an average Fulani Normad.

    He expressed concern over how to cope if pivot ranches where herders could start up from were not provided for his people.

  • Strange sickness hits Benue school, nine students ‘paralyzed’

    Strange sickness hits Benue school, nine students ‘paralyzed’

    The Benue State Government has shut down a secondary school, Vaatia College in Makurdi, the state capital following the outbreak of a strange illness.

    At least nine students have been reported paralyzed following the outbreak of the strange illness and some have been hospitalised at Madonna Hospital, a private clinic in the state.

    The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Joseph Ngbea who confirmed the outbreak said some of the students have been discharged while few others are still hospitalised.

    “The report of the unknown disease got to me through my Director of Public Health and we went to the Teaching Hospital where three of the students were on admission and what we saw, there was no paralysis. What we saw was Parasis – weakness of the limbs.

    “Many of them were walking with a wobbling gait. We looked at the possible causes because this country is almost certified free of Poliomyelitis.

    “So, when we go there, it was confirmed that it was not Poliomyelitis. What we are looking at is ‘Golemba Syndrome’. It is a weakness that starts from the limbs upwards,” he said.

    When asked what is the likely cause, the Commissioner said the causes are multi-factorial and can be as a result of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection.

    Doctor Ngbea, however, allayed the fears of the likely spread of the disease to other schools, considering that students of the college who may have siblings at other schools have been sent back to their families as the school remains closed.

  • Just in: APC chairman murdered in Benue

    Just in: APC chairman murdered in Benue

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Gboko South ward, Tersoo Ahu, has been murdered.

    He was killed by a gang of young men in Gboko on Sunday.

    Ahu and other ward officials were training party members for the APC registration and revalidation exercise.

    The assailants stormed the venue with clubs, cutlasses, and attacked Ahu.

    APC Publicity Secretary in Benue State, James Orgunga, confirmed the incident.

    He disclosed that the ward chairman sustained serious injuries and died at a public hospital in Gboko.

    The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) of the Benue Command, Kate Anene, said a probe had commenced.

    “I can confirm the attack and killing of the APC ward chairman in Gboko, our men rushed to the scene but the suspects fled.

    “However, we have identified them and very soon we shall pick them up,”

  • Ortom threatens legal action against spokesman of Fulani over comment on Benue killings

    Ortom threatens legal action against spokesman of Fulani over comment on Benue killings

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has called for the arrest and questioning of a self-acclaimed spokesman of Fulani groups and All Progressive Congress, APC, chieftain, Garus Gololo over alleged comments on Benue killings.

    Mr. Gololo had recently alleged that Governor Ortom was sponsoring attacks on Fulanis residing in Benue state. Piqued by the allegation, the Governor demanded an apology and retraction.

    A statement from the Governor on Sunday in Makurdi by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, alleged that Mr. Gololo had not been new to such false and malicious statements after his request to be appointed a Special Adviser in Benue state was turned down.

    “Since Governor Ortom turned down his request to be made Special Adviser preferring to appoint another Fulani man as his aide, Gololo has launched ceaseless campaign of calumny and blackmail against the Governor.

    “In January 2018, shortly after armed herdsmen attacked communities in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas, LGAs, killing 73 people, Garus Gololo came out on behalf of the armed Fulani groups and accepted responsibility for the massacre alleging that the attacks were in retaliation for their cows which he claimed were rustled.

    “Security reports however later proved that no Fulani cow was rustled before the 2018 attacks. “Contrary to his recent claim, there is no attack on a Fulani person in any part of Benue State. All law abiding Fulanis are living in peace with other Benue people.

    “We therefore expect security agents to arrest for prosecution, this harbinger of mayhem whose only trade is raising false alarms to throw the society into crisis.

    “Gololo is closely working with other enemies of the State and he surely has questions to answer regarding the frequent attacks on innocent Benue people.

    “In the meantime, Gololo has 48 hours to prove the accusation he leveled against Governor Ortom, failure of which he should tender a public apology to the Governor or face legal action.

    “The Governor urges people of the State and other Nigerians to disregard the alarm and continue to support security operatives with timely and useful information to guarantee the safety of lives and property,” part of the statement read

  • Ortom’s Chief of Staff suspends 2023 campaign

    Ortom’s Chief of Staff suspends 2023 campaign

    Mr Terwase Orbunde, Chief of Staff to Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, says he has suspended his campaign for the Government House in 2023, incompliance with the directive of the governor.
    This is contained in a statement by Orbunde on Saturday in Makurdi.

    “On Wednesday, Feb. 3, my principal and Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, directed that all his appointees nursing political ambition to succeed him in 2023 should put such on hold until the appropriate time or resign.

    “The governor said that what is needed at the moment is concentration to deliver quality service to the people of the state so as to justify his second term mandate.

    “Politicking by my aides at this time constitutes a distraction,” he said.

    Orbunde said that as someone who believed that power come from God, he had accepted to comply with the directive.

    “I accept to comply with Ortom’s directive as my principal and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “I appreciate the enviable vantage position in which the governor has graciously put me to make inputs into his administration which I have been privileged to make since 2015.

    “I wish to utilise the opportunity given to me by stretching my capacities to the fullest, at the moment to assist Ortom in his efforts to develop the state until that appropriate time,” he said.

    He appealed for understanding and support from those who wished him well in the light of the development.

  • Catholic priest, six others die of COVID-19 complications in Benue within seven days

    Catholic priest, six others die of COVID-19 complications in Benue within seven days

    Seven persons, including a Catholic priest Father Kuluke, have died of COVID- 19 complications within one week in Benue State.

    The Chairman of the State Action Committee on COVID-19 and Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, disclosed this on Monday while swearing-in Justice Aleje as a judge of the Customary Court of Appeal at the Government House.

    “In the last one week, we have recorded mortality here in Makurdi. Every day we recorded mortality, including this morning. A revered father passed on this morning,” he said, adding that the priest died on Monday at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi.

    “The other time, within five days, we lost four prominent Benue people. So this variant is not one that anybody should joke with. I always take my time these days to do a small briefing concerning COVID-19 each time I have an occasion like this.”

    The deputy governor said Governor Samuel Ortom has gone into isolation after being in contact with two top aides who had tested positive for COVID-19.

    He revealed that though the governor does not have symptoms of the virus, the move is necessary to prevent the further spread of the virus.

    While warning residents to be weary off and apply extreme caution in their social behaviour, Abounu asked residents of the state not to engage in any form of celebration that could lead to the spread of the virus.

  • Bandits kill livestock guard, shoot NSCDC officer in Benue

    Bandits kill livestock guard, shoot NSCDC officer in Benue

    The Benue Government said bandits attacked and killed a Livestock Guard and shot an official of the Agro Rangers, a unit in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Makurdi, the state capital.
    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, retired Col. Paul Hemba, told newsmen on Saturday in Makurdi that the attack took place at Mbalagh Council ward, behind NASME Barracks on Friday evening.
    Hemba said that the bandits attacked and killed a livestock guard member and shot an official of the Agro Rangers when they were returning from patrol in Mbalagh Council ward of Makurdi local government area.
    He disclosed that the team were on motorcycles when they were ambushed adding that the Agro Rangers official was responding to treatment.
    The security adviser further said that the state was over time witnessing the hit and run attack from the bandits.
    He disclosed that most of their recent attacks were “targeted at Livestock Guards probably to intimidate them from doing their work” but said such would not deter them.
    Hemba said that due to lack of security personnel to cover the entire state at all times, the bandits were taking advantage of it to attack vulnerable places.