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Tag: Benue

  • Over 40,000 persons displaced in Benue gunmen attack – SEMA

    The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said over 40,000 persons had been displaced following the recent gunmen attack in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mr Emmanuel Shior told newsmen in Makurdi on Friday that the agency had opened four camps for the displaced persons in the affected areas.

    Shior disclosed that Gov. Samuel Ortom had been extremely worried over the plight of the people.

    “As we speak over 40,000 persons have so far been displaced as a result of the attacks on our people in Guma and Logo LGAs.

    “Government has decided to open four camps, three in Guma LGA and one in Logo LGA, the camps in Guma LGA are in Daudu, Gbajimba and Agasha, while the camp in Logo LGA is in Ugba,” he said.

    Shior said that the state government decided to locate the camps in areas considered safest in the LGAs for security reasons.

    “The camps are in areas that are safe and enough security has being provided for the safety of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    “What we are doing at the moment is to open temporary camps except the one in Daudu that already has existing camp facilities, the others camps are situated in primary schools located in the areas.

    “We do not hope to keep them in the camps for a long time, remember this is January and most of the affected persons are farmers who are still harvesting their crops,” he said.

    Shior said that government was concerned about the security of the people and their communities to enable them to return back to their homes instead of staying in the camps.

    He assured the IDPs that though they were displaced they were not misplaced as government and his agency would do everything possible to give them minimum comfort.

  • Your insensitivity to peoples’ plights caused killings in Benue, Rivers, others – PDP tells Buhari, APC

    The National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being insensitive to the security of lives and properties in the country.

    This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the party spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan.

    The party described the massacre of defenseless Nigerians in the three states as extremely wicked.

    The opposition party further lamented what it termed the insensitivity of the APC Presidency, which it said, reacted to the ugly incidents only after the PDP and well-meaning Nigerians called them to task.

    The PDP also called on the Presidency to do some soul-searching with regards to its silence and loud indifference whenever citizens fall under such horrifying attacks.

    “What a way to start the New Year? The sheer insensitivity of the APC Government has continued to cause our nation a lot of pain and sorrow.

    “Is it not only a careless and inept leadership like the APC government that will ignore the danger signs in any part of the country and leave its citizens defenseless, just to be massacred by marauders?

    “If the APC Federal Government had effectively acted upon the danger signs and had provided adequate security in flash points across the country, particularly in Benue state, north central and Southern Kaduna area, this massacre of Nigerians, who were already impoverished by the APC’s misrule, could have been prevented.

    “Is it not a tragic trajectory of governance that while the APC Presidency was busy basking in its orchestrated New Year self-praise and empty promises, bandits were having a field day mowing down citizens in cold blood?

    “Is it not also an irony that when the government was prompted to react to the spate of killings, all its officials could do was to respond in manners most indifferent, nearly unconcerned and almost without compassion?

    “Indeed, the PDP aligns with Nigerians that the APC and the Presidency should have a serious soul searching on their clear indifference towards the persistent killings and maiming of citizens by bandits who constantly invade communities, slaughter the people and walk away with blood of our compatriots in their hands”.

    The party urged the government to show commitment by ensuring that the perpetrators of these killings were brought to book and made to face the full wrath of the law.

    It also urged the military and other security agencies to leave no stone unturned in the fishing out the perpetrators.

    “Nigeria belongs to all of us; every citizen has a right to life and no man should take the life of another for any reason or under any guise whatsoever,” the statement added.

  • Rivers, Benue Massacres: Atiku condemns killings, says Nigeria’s diversity, its strength

    Former Vice President of Nigeria and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has described as unacceptable the cycle of blood-letting that has led to the loss of precious lives across the country.

    Atiku Abubakar made the charge against the backdrop of recent killings in Rivers, Kaduna, Benue and other parts of the country including the Wednesday early morning suicide bombing attack, at Gamboru Mosque in Borno, barely three days into the New Year.

    The Waziri Adamawa, according to a statement by his media office in Abuja on Wednesday, said the killings in those states, and other senseless killings and reprisal blood-letting that has preceded them in the past across our country is ungodly, a throwback to the stone age, and a hindrance to the promotion of peace and unity in the country.

    Atiku Abubakar stressed that the diversity of Nigeria remains one of its strongest points, reminding leaders of all persuasion and at all levels to ensure that they promote the things that unite us rather than those that create divisions.

    “That the Almighty in His Wisdom made us a nation of different tongues and tribes; made us Africa’s most populous nation with more than 300 tribes is no accident. If well enhanced, our diversity should be our biggest strength.

    “There cannot be development when innocent lives are being lost in a seeming endless cycle of attacks and reprisals. While we should hold every life as precious, it is more painful that the victims of these attacks are women and youths – the demography that we depend upon to drive development.”

    Atiku Abubakar urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of the New Year to reflect on these needless killings and to resolve to live in peace and harmony.

    He prays for fortitude to the bereaved families.

  • Senate summons Dambazau over Rivers, Benue massacres

    The Chairman of the Senate committee on Interior, Andy Uba,has condemned the killings in Benue, Rivers and Kaduna states.

    He described the killings as sheer heartlessness and barbaric and urged the relevant security agencies to bring the criminals to book.

    He said the perpetrators were out to destabilise the relative peace being enjoyed across the country.

    In view of the dastardly acts in Kaduna, Rivers and Benue, the Senate Committee on Interior, has summoned Minister of Interior Abdulrahaman Dambazau, to appear before it on the outcome of his visit to Benue State and plans to mitigate further occurrence of these wanton crime.

    Dr Uba commiserated with the families that lost their loved ones in the attacks, and he prayed for God to give them the heart to bear the loss.

  • Police arrest eight in connection with Benue killings

    The Benue State Police Command says it has arrested eight herdsmen in connection with the recent attacks on some communities in the state.

    Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Moses Yamu, made the announcement in a statement signed by him, a copy of which was obtained by Channels Television on Wednesday.

    He said the suspects were arrested in two local government areas of the state following a gun battle with the police.

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Bashir Makama, called for calm, as eight herdsmen – six in Guma and two in Logo (LGAs) – had been arrested in connection with the attacks,” he said.

    The statement comes less than three days after at least 33 people were said to have been killed by suspected herdsmen in the last four days.

    The state governor, Mr Samuel Ortom, had condemned the killings and called for proactive measures to tackle the incident while youths in the state have called on the Federal Government to intervene in the matter.

    Police, on their part, said proper additional deployments have been made to the troubled area and its environs for monitoring to calm the tension of the people.

    They said measures have also been put in place to forestall further occurrence and to restore confidence in the minds of the people, adding that the situation has been brought under control while investigation continues.

    Giving a brief on the attacks, the Command’s spokesman said: “The Benue State Police Command has recorded attacks on Tomater village in Sengev council ward; Akor village in Nzorov council ward; and Bakin Kwata village in Umanger council ward of Guma LGA by suspected herdsmen, where a total of 17 persons, including seven members of Benue State Livestock Guards were killed, their vehicle burnt and an uncertain number of persons injured in separate attacks between 31/12/2017 and 02/01/2018.”

    “Again, Agba-Uko near Azege village and Tse-Aga village of Logo LGA experienced the same fate where one person was killed, one motorcycle burnt, and four persons injured. All the injured from both LGAs are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the state.

    “The Command acted promptly by deploying five combined teams of mobile and conventional Policemen to the scene in Guma, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Emmanuel Adesina, and engaged the armed herdsmen in a gun duel, forcing them to retreat,” he added.

  • Herdsmen kill over 20, injure over 30 in Benue – Gov. Ortom

    Herdsmen kill over 20, injure over 30 in Benue – Gov. Ortom

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue said herdsmen had killed over 20 persons between Monday and Tuesday in Guma and logo local government areas of the state.

    Ortom disclosed this while briefing journalists on Tuesday in Makurdi after the State Security Meeting.

    He said that out of the number, nine were Livestock Guards who were to ensure the full implementation of the Anti-Open Grazing Law.

    He said that the law was not targeted at any ethnic group and wondered why the herdsmen had taken it so personal to the point of unleashing terror on the people.

    The governor also lamented the unwarranted wanton destruction of lives and property by the herdsmen.

    He said that no matter the intimidation and killings by the herdsmen, the law would not be reversed or repealed.

    He assured that the law must be implemented to the latter and anybody or group of persons that flouted it would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    Ortom called on the Federal Government to wade into the matter so as to avert further destruction of lives and property.

    Dr Gajir Tsoho of the Surgical Department, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, said over 30 injured victims of the herdsmen attack were brought to the hospital and were receiving treatment.

  • 4 killed in fresh communal clash in Benue

    At least four people have been killed in a fresh communal clash in Ogobia community of Ugboju district in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

    On September 14, this year, a former chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Major Lawrence Ugbor (rtd) and five others including a retired police officer were killed in a communal clash between two communities in the Ugboju district of Otukpo.

    In February, last year, three people were killed in a similar rivalry between the two villages of Ondo and Ogobia in Ugboju district of Otukpo following an alleged land dispute which snowballed into crisis between suspected members of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It was also gathered that the crisis was allegedly caused by two fighting brothers of same parents, Ijachi Udeh and Benjamin Udeh who are said to belonged to rival political parties of PDP and APC.

    Spokesman of the police in the state, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the fresh killings, said that three people lost their lives on Saturday night while the fourth died on Sunday morning from injuries sustained when the fight broke out.

    Yamu said the police was yet to establish the motive behind the killing, adding that it was not unconnected with the previous unrest in the area.

    He however said that the police had been reinforced to restore normalcy in the vicinity while the command has commenced investigation in line with some lead available to it.

    But, some locals in the trouble community told our correspondent that the current crisis had more undertones of cult-related activities than the previous crisis linked to a communal clash between the blood brothers.

    One of the locals alleged that those killed were known cultists who fought against themselves, alleging a fifth death of a security personnel who has hacked by the rival cultists for preventing their activities in the area.

  • Benue Assembly confirms Onum as new Chief Judge

    The Benue House of Assembly on Friday confirmed the nomination of Justice Adam Onum as the new Chief Judge (CJ) of the state.

    The confirmation followed a letter of nomination addressed to the Speaker and read on the floor by the the Deputy Speaker, Mr James Okefe.

    The letter stated that following the recommendation from the National Judicial Council (NJC), Gov. Samuel Ortom had approved Onum’s appointment.

    The letter said that the appointment was in line with Section 271 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

    Consequently, Mr Adam Okloho (Adoka/Ugboju-APC) moved a motion that the nominee be confirmed and it was seconded by Dr Adoga Onah (Oju-PDP).

    Announcing his confirmation, the deputy speaker described the new CJ as an impeccable and impartial judge whose track record of performance was outstanding.

    Okefe commended the NJC and Ortom for finding Onum worthy to hold the position, adding that he was the first person from Benue South Senatorial District to be appointed to the position.

    The deputy speaker said that Ortom had proved that the APC administration in the state was fair to all sections of the state.

    Okefe advised the new chief judge to reciprocate the gesture of the governor by rededicating himself to the smooth administration of justice.

  • Buhari’s bailout fund cannot clear salaries, pension arrears in Benue – Ortom

    …accuses NLC of blackmail

    …Says we inherited N69 billion salaries, Pension arrears

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s bail out fund to states (especially in Benue) cannot clear the backlog of salaries and pension arrears the new governors inherited from past governments in their various states.

    Ortom noted that specifically, he inherited arrears of salaries, pensions and gratuity of about N69 billion from past administrations.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress had earlier listed Benue State Government as the worst in salary and pension payment. The congress however told workers in the state to take their destinies in their hands by embarking on strike to get their entitlements from the state government.

    Ortom who spoke at a book launch in Abuja on Tuesday however berated the leadership of NLC for inciting workers in the state to go on strike.

    He also challenge the leaders of Labour to drag his government to the anti-corruption agencies in the country if they feel that he was not fair to Benue workers in the appropriation of the federal government bailout fund to drag his government to the anti-corruption agencies.

    He insisted that the leadership of Labour should do a comparative analysis of remuneration of Benue workers with other states, insisting that he is paying higher than any other state in the country.

    Governor Ortom said his government was open to dialogue, urging anybody with superior programs to tackle the issue to bring it on the dialogue table.

    “I believe that the discussion is still ongoing. We will still talk even though I feel that we should not be discussing our problems in the media. I have told them to bring the issues on the table because government is ready to put all the figures on the table to anyone to see.

    “It is part of our transparency and accountability. One thing I can assure you is that we have formed a process of working towards it. It is not enough for the leadership of the labour union to incite the workers to go on strike at the National level and Benue state.

    “For me, it is not the best way of unionism and taking care of workers. Benue State has a peculiar problem. We inherited a debt arrears of N69 billion of pension, gratuity and salaries.

    “Now, the intervention from the federal government called Paris Club or bailout as they call it even though it is a loan all together could not clear the N69 billion debt arrears. So, the challenge is still there and everybody knows about it.

    “The figures are on the table for everyone to see. For us, Benue is one of the States in the country paying the highest salary as at today I am talking to you. I challenge you to compare your note.

    “In other states where Permanent Secretaries are collecting N230, 000, we are paying N500, 000 because that is what we inherited. We believe in dialogue and discussion and if you have superior programs that can make things better for Benue people bring them on the table for discussion.

    “It is not just enough to go and incite people to go on strike to prove that that government is not paying. They should ask what has been the history. I challenge them to do analysis of what has been on ground.

    “The good thing is that none of the anti-corruption agency can indict us for misappropriation of bailout fund because we have been very transparent. That is where we are now,” he said.

     

  • Revoke N3.2 billion Benue road contract, senate tells FG

    The Senate Committee on Works has asked the Federal Government to revoke the N3.2 billion contract for the reconstruction of Wannue-Yadev road in Benue, citing alleged incompetence by the handler.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 19-kilometre road contract, awarded in 2013, had a completion period of 24 months.
    Its chairman, Sen. Kabiru Gaya, told newsmen in Gboko on Saturday that his committee was “greatly disappointed” that not much had been achieved in the execution of the project four years after it was awarded.
    “We have gone round several portions of the road; we have asked questions and made observations. Our conclusion is that the contractor lacks the capacity to handle the job.
    “We have resolved to ask the Federal to terminate the job and engage a competent firm. Huge monies have been paid to the contractor with nothing to show for it. We cannot continue like that,” he said.
    Gaya regretted that the contractor had failed to live up to expectations, “in spite of several letters asking him to sit up”.
    “At some spots on the road, asphalt was being laid without leveling the affected areas; the contractor also scrapped large portions of the road last year and disappeared, making them impassable. We feel that this is being insensitive.
    “The point we are trying to make is simple. Since the Federal Ministry of Works has written three times threatening to revoke the contract, the job should be terminated. We shall investigate it and hand over the report to EFCC.
    “It is not right to allow contractors to collect tax payers money and waste it,” he said.
    Sen. George Akume (APC,Benue North-West), who also spoke to newsmen, expressed dismay over the state of federal roads in Benue.
    Akume claimed that cement dealers, who ply the Gboko/Makurdi road with heavy loads, were responsible for most of the massive damage and should be made to assist in the reconstruction.