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Tag: Benue

  • Benue Govt imposes 24-hr curfew in Ukum LGA

    Benue Govt imposes 24-hr curfew in Ukum LGA

    The Benue State Government on Wednesday imposed a 24-hour curfew in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), following serious security breaches in the area.

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia announced the measure at a news briefing in Makurdi shortly after the State Security Council meeting.

    Alia, represented by Dep. Gov. Sam Ode, said the curfew became imperative, “following the wanton destruction of government’s property and threats to lives in the area”.

    He said the government was surprised with the grave security situation in the area, “which has led to the breakdown of law and order and wanton destruction of government property and threat to lives”.

    He said that the curfew was to ensure the safety and protection of lives and property of the residents.

    The governor, therefore, charged all the stakeholders and security agencies to take note of the measure and ensure strict compliance.

    According to him, the curfew would take effect in and around Ukum for 24 hours, from 3pm today (Wednesday) to 3pm on Thursday, July 4.

    “Thereafter, it will be from 6pm to 6am, beginning from Thursday, July 4, untill further notice.

    “This is the announcement from the Benue State Government’s seat of power,” the governor said.

    On Wednesday, a large number of youths took over Ayati-Sai Road in Ukum LGA and barricaded it to protest the alleged incessant killings in the area.

    The youths also invaded the council Secretariat in Zaki Biam and destroyed things to express their displeasure over what they described as “government’s insensitivity” toward the alleged killings in the area.

    The Police Command in the state said that all the tactical teams within the area had arrived to beef up security in the area.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Sewuese Anene, said that the Commissioner of Police was on his way to the local government headquarters to ensure that there was law and order.

    Ukum LGA has been a flashpoint of criminality with frequent spate of killings and kidnapping by local militias.

    Wednesday’s protest, according to a resident of Ayati Village, was triggered off by the killing of 11 people by local bandits on Tuesday night .

    The source, which spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “you know how volatile the LGA has been in recent times.

    “There is hardly a day we don’t experience killings and kidnapping, unfortunately, the State Government has not shown seriousness in tackling the development.

    “Tuesday night, these bandits invaded Ayati Village and killed several people.

    “At the time the youths recovered 11 corpses, it triggered off anger, making them to storm the road to protest the killing.

    “Some of the youths also went with the recovered corpses to the council secretariat to vent their anger and destroy the council’s propwrty,” he said.

    NAN reports that there has been a massive deployment of security personnel to the area to enforce law and order.

  • Without massive women votes I wouldn’t be governor – Alia

    Without massive women votes I wouldn’t be governor – Alia

    Benue State Governor. Hyacinth Alia has acknowledged that without the massive votes of women in the state, he would not have won the 2023 Governorship Election.

    Alia stated this on Saturday in Makurdi, during the launch of the 774 Explode Project, an initiative of Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady.

    The 774 Explode Project, is being promoted by Dr Mary Alile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Woman Leader.

    The governor said without the massive votes of women, he and President Bola Tinubu, would not have won elections in 2023, and therefore, reassured them of their continued support.

    He said since he did not have a first lady, all great women of Benue State were his first ladies, while Mrs Tinubu was the mother of the state.

    He assured women in the state that he would continue to support them to attain their goals and realise their potential.

    On 774 Explode Project, Alia said his administration would ensure that Benue remained number one in its implementation nationwide.

    He said after training and skills acquisition by the women in their chosen skills, they would each receive N500,000 take-off support from the state government.

    He commended Mrs Tinubu for the initiative, and the APC national woman leader for promoting it across the country.

    He said the state was very grateful to Mrs the first lady for all the support, both in cash and in kind, to Benue women.

    He said so far, Benue women had benefitted from the provision of grains, fertiliser, scholarships, and several other things from the office of the First lady of Nigeria.

    Inaugurating the project, Alile said only five per cent of women were currently in governance in Nigeria.

    She said out of the 469 national assembly members, only 20 were women, adding that 15 out of the 36 current state houses of assemblies had no female representatives.

    She said women represented 49.3 per cent of the country’s population, and therefore, needed to wake up and make things happen for them.

    Alile commended Alia for funding the launch of the project in Benue.

    She also commended the governors over their support for the initiative, noting that it would benefit the states immensely.

    She said from the initiative, Nigerian women would acquire skills, political mentorship, capacity building, trainings, and many others.

    She disclosed that the beneficiaries of the initiative would be between the ages of 18 to 35 years old.

    Mrs Christie Ode, wife of the state’s deputy governor, said women played special roles in nation building.

    Ode expressed concerns over Nigeria being among countries of the world where women still had less participation in politics and governance.

    She said the launch of the 774 Explode Project was a significant step in the right direction in closing the gaps and including women in politics and governance.

    She commended the first lady for all she was doing for women in the country, and also Alia for giving the Benue women a fresh breath of life.

    In a keynote address tilted: “Enhancing Gender Space in Politics and Mentoring”, Mr Dennis Dzawua said without the support of women, no candidate would win election in Nigeria.

    Dzawua said women were the architects of their problems, and until they started supporting each other, they might not get their deserved political positions in the country.

    According to him, politics plays a significant influence over the decision-making process that impacts lives, so all women must strive hard to be in politics to influence such decisions.

    In his remarks, Benue APC Acting Chairman, Mr Benjamin Omakolo, said the project would further enhance women’s participation in politics beyond the state.

    Omakolo said women occupied a special place in APC and Alia’s administration.

    He commended the governor for his massive infrastructure strides within the last one year in office, saying under Alia, “everything has suddenly changed positively “.

    He said the governor had made history in Benue by becoming the first governor to be paying salaries, pensions, gratuities, executing projects, human capital development among other achievements without borrowing a dime.

    Earlier in an address of welcome, Scholastica Ben-Sor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, said Benue women who voted massively for the APC in the 2023 polls, were solidly behind the governor and and the president.

    Ben-Sor said the women had resolved to continue to support Alia and Tinubu to succeed.

    “Benue women voted massively for the governor, the president and the APC. Wherever the governor goes we will go with you. No turning back,” she declared.

  • Benue: APC’s Alia will get second tenure without stress – Ex-PDP chairman

    Benue: APC’s Alia will get second tenure without stress – Ex-PDP chairman

    Senator Barnabas Gemade, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), has said that Gov Hyacinth Alia would secure a second tenure in 2027 without much stress.

    Gemade, while addressing APC supporters in Vandeikya, hinged his confidence on Alia’s achievements.

    The governor is currently on a thank you tour to Vandiekya and Konshisha Local Governments.

    Gemade said that the Jechira people in particular, and Benue people in general, were solidly behind the government of Alia.

    He said the administration had performed very well in the last one year.

    “Alia’s scorecard is better than any governor in Benue; he is competing with Aper Aku who, before now, was number one,” he said

    In his speech, Gov Alia lamented the level of underdevelopment in Benue, saying that past administrations failed to take to develop Benue.

    He said the massive transformation being witnessed in the state was divine and intended to restore the state’s lost glory.

    “Many years ago, Benue was taken 40 years backward. In between, we had great heroes who came in to do their bit and set the people free.

    “This is one of the reasons God wants you to join forces with great few governors who have demonstrated love for their state and for humanity.

    “We should bring development and bring our children back to the pedestal that should be in the classroom so that our tomorrow becomes very prosperous and futuristic.

    “What we have done in the area of renovation of schools, hospitals, roads construction, provision of electricity among many others in the last one year is just a tip of the iceberg,” he said

    Alia further commended President Bola Tinubu for his laudable initiatives aimed at putting the country back on the fast lane of development.

    He said that such lofty programmes are also targeted at improving the lives of teeming unemployed youths to make them economically viable and employers of labour.

  • Why Gov. Alia cannot have a godfather – Gemade

    Why Gov. Alia cannot have a godfather – Gemade

    Forner National Chairman of the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Barnabas Gemade, said he has several reasons to support Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue to succeed.

    Gemade disclosed this on Wednesday in Katsina-Ala while addressing the All Progressives  Congress (APC) supporters during Alia’s thank you tour accross the state.

    Recall that Gemade, who joined the APC in 2014, contested the 2023 governorship ticket alongside the governor and many others.

    It was also recalled that after the primaries, he contested the outcome of the exercise up to the Supreme Court, calling for the cancellation of the exercise over alleged non compliance with electoral guidelines.

    The former senator however, resolved his differences with the governor much later and has since thrown his weight behind him.

    Speaking in Katsina-Ala, Gemade said the coming of Gov. Alia was truly a divine intervention.

    “The priest is a representative of God on earth, for that reason, if a priest has been assigned a responsibility he does not need a godfather. A priest that represents God here on earth has no business with another human being calling himself a godfather.

    “Father Alia can only have a father not a godfather, and I will be very happy as a bonafide son of the state and an experienced man at politics with all that it takes to be a father to anybody, I am very proud to be the father of Rev. Fr.  Alia and that is all he needs,” he said.

    He also described Alia as a humble and God-fearing priest  who is working hard to turn around the fortune of the state.

    “I used to know how people call me “Nomiyange” (a shining sun), that was when I shine, but truly, Rev. Fr. Alia came out with his sun which shines more and stronger than mine.

    “So I decided to retreat to make sure I  support him to do things that God Almighty has asked him to do, that will bring development to Benue and he is already doing those things.

    “I have only one thing to tell you the people of Sankera. There is nothing more than unity, it is one of the greatest things you must do in this state. Each time I have an opportunity to talk, I say this and  you must embrace unity and support the Alia’s administration to succeed,” Gemade said.

    NAN

  • Peter Obi slams FG over spate of killings in Plateau, Benue

    Peter Obi slams FG over spate of killings in Plateau, Benue

    Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 poll, has criticised the federal government for the spate of killings in Plateau and Benue states.

    On Monday, gunmen attacked Zurak village in Wase LGA of the state and reportedly killed more than 40 residents.

    Obi described the latest killings as one too many, and asked the federal government to live up to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.

    “One continues to be disheartened by the persistent reports of terrorist attacks across Plateau, Benue, and other parts of the country,” the former Anambra governor wrote on X.

    “The recent reports of an attack in Zurak village in Wase LGA of Plateau state which has left about 40 people dead and many others hospitalized remains a very sad one, which must be condemned in strong terms.

    “This adds to the growing number of these heinous attacks. These repeated attacks particularly in Plateau have become too many to make any discerning mind worrisome.

    “Again, I call on the government to rise to its responsibilities of securing the lives and property of Nigerians with corresponding actions.

    “Above all, we must take every necessary measure to drastically reduce insecurity in the nation by investing in the critical areas of human development; education, health, and lifting people out of poverty.”

    On April 18, gunmen killed at least 12 people in the Tilengpat community of Pushit district, in Mangu LGA of Plateau.

    Before this, gunmen killed at least 10 residents of Mandar Shar and Kopnanle villages under Mangu and Bokkos LGAs.

    There have also been persistent gunmen attacks in the north-central state of Benue, exacerbated by an age-long farmer-herder crisis.

  • UNDP decries rise in number of IDPs in Benue, 3 other states

    UNDP decries rise in number of IDPs in Benue, 3 other states

    The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has decried the consistent rise in the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

    Its representative in Benue, Mr Adewole Oke, disclosed this on Thursday in Makurdi, while delivering a goodwill message during the presentation of the Benue Framework toward addressing humanitarian challenges in the state.

    The state’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management organised a one-day workshop with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), IDPs and Journalists as participants.

    Oke said that over the years, the number of IDPs in the four states, laregly women, the youths and other marginalised groups had increased.

    He, however, promised that through a combined effort of all UN agencies, the socio economic impact of internal displacement and framework designed for a more developmental approach toward resolving internal displacement in Benue would be considered.

    “Over the years, the number of IDPs in Benue, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa have doubled, particularly women, the youths and marginalised groups.

    “ This has affected children going to school, men who tend to feed their families and women who strive to make their home peaceful.

    “We are not just going to stop at interventions without addressing the root causes; internal displacement requires long term, integrated and gender responsive development solutions.

    ”Through a human development approach, we have proposed to renew and created a synergy between displaced citizens and the state,”he said.

    Oke also promised that his organisation would restore the human dignity toward ensuring a more safer Benue where citizens would coexist peacefully.

    “Restoring your human security and dignity will be at the heart of rebuilding a prosperous and safer Benue.

    ”Let us work together to make this ambition a reality. No one can solve the problem alone,” he said.

    Earlier, the Benue Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde, said that the workshop aimed at developing a framework for strategic committee toward generating durable solutions that would address its current challenges.

    Kunde noted that the workshop was also aimed at identifying the needs of the IDPs and those of communities affected by crisis in the state.

    He added that the state government was doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of all IDPs to their ancestral homes.

    “The ongoing situation in Benue highlights the broader humanitarian challenges within Nigeria.

    “The plight of the IDPs in Benue serves as a call to action for the Federal Government and the international community to step in and provide the necessary support for these individuals to safely return to their homes in peace,” he added.

    Some of the IDPs who participated in the exercise, decried the absence of basic facilities, such as basic healthcare, potable water, schools, among others, at the camps.

    The IDPs, who called on the government to enhance security at the camps, also appealed to government to empower more women and the elderly ones with skills.

    The Benue government had in the past nine months provided relief materials to the IDPs on monthly basis.

    NAN further reports that over 1 million people were currently displaced in the state due to incessant attacks in communities.

  • Communal clash: Two k!lled, houses set ablaze as Benue boils

    Communal clash: Two k!lled, houses set ablaze as Benue boils

    No fewer than two people were killed in a fresh communal crisis which broke out at North Bank, a suburb of Makurdi metropolis in Benúe State.

    Many houses were burnt and residents sustained injuries when fight broke out between Tiv and Jukun natives on Sunday and continued on Monday.

    Commander of a local vigilante known as Operation Shara (Sweep) in North Bank, Nura Umar, told our correspondent that two persons who were involved in menial job were killed in the heat of the crisis.

    Umar said, “It’s really bad. Many houses were burnt in Agatashi community at the river bank of old bridge around timber shade and abattoir side. It’s a fight between Jukun and Tiv.

    “Two persons selling things on wheelbarrow were victims of the crisis. They were caught and killed. We buried them today. Yesterday, Sunday, they shot two people while in church. They didn’t die; they are in the hospital.”

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Benúe, SP Catherine Anene, did not yet respond to calls put through her telephone as at the time of filing this report.

  • 40 feared killed as militia gangs clash in Benue

    40 feared killed as militia gangs clash in Benue

    More than 40 persons, including a family of seven, were feared killed in clashes between militia gangs in Gbagir community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue on Tuesday.

    A highly-reliable military source said on Wednesday in Makurdi that security operatives had been deployed in the area to restore normalcy.

    He said locals in the area would need to furnish the operatives with credible information to succeed in the operation, however.

    “It was militia men that were killing themselves.

    “One or two persons might have been caught in the crossfire, but the majority of the people that were killed were members of militia gangs in the area.

    “The villagers know those carrying out this dastardly act, but are shielding them.

    “We saw several corpses. The attack was not carried out by suspected armed herdsmen. It was a clash between two local militia groups,’’ the source said.

    Police in Benue also confirmed the clash and declared that only eight corpses had so far been recovered from the scene.

    Police spokesman, SP Sewuese Anene said that additional operatives had been deployed in the area to restore peace and order.

    Anene denied knowledge of any on-going mass burial taking place in the community as was being rumoured.

    An independent source in the area corroborated the position of the military source that most of the dead persons were members of the rival militia gangs.

    He said about 12 farmers were caught in the crossfire, while many were still missing.

    A traditional ruler in the area, who requested anonymity, said the bloody fight began on Tuesday morning.

    He said a militia leader in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue went to Chinkai community in Wukari Local Government Area in neighbouring Taraba at the weekend and kidnapped a tribal militia leader.

    He also kidnapped family members of the Chinkai militia leader, he added.

    “After kidnapping them, he demanded for N100 million ransom, but was given N5 million. After collecting the money he killed his hostages.

    “The murder of the hostages sparked outrage among members of the victims’ gang members in Taraba.

    “A different militia gang leader in Ukum, joined forces with the avenging militia gang from Taraba to help to eliminate the Ukum gang leader who abducted and killed his Chinkai community victims.

    “The essence was to enable him (the collaborator), to become the head of militia gang in Ukum,’’ he said.

    The traditional ruler said the combined forces of two different tribal militia gangs started moving into Gbagir bushes in their hundreds from Sunday to sack the gang that killed the Taraba militia gang leader.

    “On Tuesday morning the bloody fight ensued.

    “From what we have heard more than 45 persons, mainly bandits have been killed. We also have a record of about 12 farmers who were caught in the crossfire.

    “More than 30 others were injured while some are still missing.

    “Sadly caught in the crossfire was a family of seven,’’ he added.

    He said also that the armed men had also spread into bushes in the surrounding areas, but could not move into residential areas because of the timely intervention of troops of “Operation Whirl Stroke’’ (OPWS).

    “When people noticed the movement of the armed tribal militia groups into Benue communities, the chiefs informed political leaders who briefed Gov. Hyacinth Alia who equally alerted the military for swift action.

    “It was the timely response of the governor and the intervention of the OPWS that saved the people of Ukum Local Government Area,’’ he stressed

     

  • I‘ve nothing to hide, not afraid of probe – Ortom

    I‘ve nothing to hide, not afraid of probe – Ortom

    Former Benue State Governor. Samuel Ortom says he is not afraid of probe, as he has nothing to hide.

    Ortom said this in a statement by his Media Aide, Mr Terver Akase in Makurdi on Tuesday.

    Akase said that the former Governor had no reservations over steps taken by his successor, Gov Hyacinth Alia, to probe his eight-year rule.

    “Ortom is willing to cooperate with the probe panels as long as the investigation is carried out in line with the law, because his administration was built on transparency, accountability, and good governance.

    “Ortom is ready to provide any information or clarification, as may be required.

    “He has urged all those who held political appointments his his administration to make themselves available whenever called upon to provide clarifications,” he said.

    Alia had on Monday, inaugurated two commissions to probe the administration of Ortom from 2015 to 2023.

    The two Judicial Commissions were; Commission of Inquiry into the Income and Expenditures of Benue State Government from May 29, 2015 to May 28, 2023 and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Sale/Lease of government assets.

  • Man Nabbed in Benue for r3ping 11-yr-old, says ‘I was teaching her s3x education’

    Man Nabbed in Benue for r3ping 11-yr-old, says ‘I was teaching her s3x education’

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Benue Command, has arrested one Gbanger Terkimbi Sunday, 25, for raping an 11-year-old girl.

    Gbanger was paraded at the command’s headquarters in Makurdi alongside three other suspects arrested for various crimes in the state.

    State Commandant of NSCDC, Yakubu Ibrahim, through the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Michael Ejelikwu, told journalists that the rape suspect, Gbanger Terkimbi Sunday, had carnal knowledge of the minor at Mbakumur Peivi community of Guma LGA in Benue State.

    He said the suspect was arrested on January 25, after a medical examination/finding revealed that his victim had physical injuries among others on her private part.

    Sunday admitted the crime during a chat with journalists, saying he was teaching the minor sex on her request.

    The NSCDC also explained that the second suspect, a 27-year-old Abdullahi Ali popularly known as “Rayyamu and two pack” was arrested on February 5 at about 11:49am at Ankpa Quarters in Makurdi over alleged criminal conspiracy, theft, armed robbery and cheating.

     

    Ali was also alleged to have escaped twice from the NSCDC custody and once from police custody even in handcuffs before he was again apprehended by the civil defence officers.

    The suspect told newsmen that he ran away because of suffering in detention, urging the law to tamper justice with mercy.

    Meanwhile, the remaining two suspects – Aliyu Ali, 32, and Mustapha Aliyu, 27 – who are both drivers were nabbed at Ugbokpo in Apa LGA on February 4 over alleged vandalism, theft and willful destruction of critical national assets and criminal conspiracy.

    The duo, according to the NSCDC PRO, were also in possession of a stolen MF375 tractor suspected to belong to either Benue or Nasarawa State government but had been recovered from them.

    Ejelikwu said that further investigation was ongoing on the matter and that the suspects would soon be charged to court or handed over to appropriate bodies for prosecution.