Tag: Benue

The Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have staged a peaceful protest against the brutal murder of one of their members, Barrister Mike Efikwu.

Efikwu was killed by gunmen at his Otukpa Street residence in Otukpo, Benue South Senatorial District penultimate Wednesday.

He was said to have been shot several times on the chest while he was about to enter the gate of his house at about 8 pm.

Efikwu was until his death the Secretary of the Otukpo branch of NBA.

The Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Police Command, Kate Aneene, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the command had launched an investigation into the matter.

The Chairman of the Makurdi Branch of NBA, Barrister Terna Yajir, on Wednesday led other members from Otukpo and Gboko branches to a peaceful protest against the murder of Mike Efikwu.

The peaceful protest started from the High Court complex in Makurdi and terminated at the Benue State Police Command Headquarters, also in Makurdi, where they presented a letter to the Commissioner of Police.

Receiving the lawyers on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Aneene said the command would do everything possible to unravel the killers of the NBA scribe.

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The Commissioner of Police commended the lawyers for their peaceful conduct and assured them that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to book.

Earlier, the NBA Chairman, Makurdi Branch, Barrister Terna Yaji, expressed concerns over the continued killing of their members in the state and called on the police to fish out Efikwu’s killers.

Yaji said they were at the Police Headquarters to register their grievances over the death of their member, saying it is one killing too many.

As a mark of respect for the deceased colleague, all the protesting lawyers were decked in all black attire.

Speaking with The Nation, Senior lawyer and former Chairman of NBA, Makurdi Branch, Barrister Titus Hyundu, urged the police to do everything possible to arrest and prosecute those who killed Efikwu.

The late Barrister Efikwu graduated from Benue State University in 2007 and was called to the bar in 2009.

He was survived by his wife and three children.

The Benue State Government has launched the distribution of food items to victims of the 2024 floods in Makurdi, aiming to alleviate the hardships faced by those affected.

The event, held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Saviours Model School, Akpehe, Logo II, Makurdi, was led by Sir James Iorpuu, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).

Iorpuu emphasized the state’s proactive approach in supporting flood victims while awaiting federal assistance. Identified victims were provided tokens to facilitate the aid distribution.

He assured the public that the intervention would continue to reach those who missed the initial phase and commended Governor Rev. Hyacinth Iormem Alia for his steadfast commitment to supporting disaster victims.

He stated: “Governor Alia’s seamless commitment to supporting disaster victims demonstrates his passion and love for humanity. Beneficiaries should be assured that what is meant for them will not be compromised.”

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On behalf of the community, the Chairman of the Landlord Association of Logo II and Proprietor of Saviour Nursery Schools, Mr. Aule Theadeaus, expressed gratitude to the governor and BSEMA.

He urged residents to avoid selling the relief items and encouraged local initiatives to clear waterways to prevent future flooding.

Beneficiaries of the food items expressed their appreciation, noting that the intervention had rekindled hope among flood victims facing significant losses.

To ensure a smooth distribution process, six distribution centers were established:

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Achusa, Saviours Model School, Logo II; NKST Primary School, Wadata; St. Theresa’s Primary School, Wurukum; Government Model Secondary School; St. Dominic’s Catholic Church. 

This effort reflects the government’s commitment to providing timely assistance and fostering resilience in disaster-affected communities.

 A four-hour downpour has caused significant damage in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, leaving residents struggling to cope.

The flooding, worsened by the overflowing of the River Benue, primarily affected the southern part of the city.

The rain, which began at 3 a.m. and lasted until 10 a.m. on Monday, submerged homes, with personal belongings seen floating in the floodwaters.

Residents living near the river, particularly in Gaadi and Iniogun settlements, were forced to evacuate to safer areas.

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At NKST Primary School in Gaadi, over 100 displaced individuals have registered at a camp set up by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assist those affected by the 2024 floods.

James Iorpuu, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, urged residents in flood-prone areas to move to designated camps as a precaution, citing the release of excess water from the Ladgo Dam.

However, flood victims have expressed frustration over the lack of food and sleeping mats at the camp, with many forced to sleep on the floor.

SEMA officials told The Nation that relief supplies, including food and non-food items, would soon be delivered, asking victims to remain patient.

Suspected armed herdsmen have killed  four people in Uzer community, Tombo Ward, near Ayilamo, in Logo Local Government Area of  Benue State.

The incident brings the number of casualties in Tombo Ward to seven since the suspected herdsmen launched a blistering attack on the harmless  villagers  recently.

 Farmers in Tombo ward  have informed the chairman of Logo Local Government Area, Hon. Clement  Ukav, that the herdsmen are allegedly claiming ownership of the land and demanding that the inhabitants vacate the area.

 A community leader in Uzer, Paul Akera, who managed to escape the attack which occurred between 8 and 10pm on Friday, recounted how armed herdsmen invaded Uzer village and started shooting at residents in their homes.

 Many people were shot, while others sustained injuries of varying degrees during the chaos.

Mr. Akera  said  that soldiers and mobile policemen stationed at Ayilamo, a distance of  five minutes’ drive  were  alerted.

 However, before the soldiers could arrive, the attackers fled, leaving behind a scene of sorrow and bloodshed.

Read Also: Herdsmen kill 26 in Benue communities

 Two families, a woman with her mother, and a man with his brother, lost their lives.

The rapid succession of attacks on the Uzer community has caused numerous residents to flee the area out of fear of further violence.

Despite the reassurances from the new chairman of Logo Local Government Area, many  families were seen fleeing the troubled communities ,seeking refuge in safer locations.

Women carrying sleeping mats and children on their backs, as well as nursing mothers, hastily fled to safety from Uzer and Ayilamo communities.

A community leader in Tyover Unande appealed to the Federal Government to provide security to enable the people of Tombo Ward  return to their farms as they are facing hunger and have nowhere to sleep.

As at press time,  the chairman of Logo Local  Council, Hon Ukav  Clement, along with his security council members were still in a security  meeting  deliberating over the unfortunate incidents.

A police officer  at Ayilamo  police station, which oversees Uzer village   confirmed the incident. The officer who preferred anonymity said the military had since taken charge of the situation.

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (Benue-SEMA) has warned residents living within a one-kilometer radius of riverbanks to relocate immediately in light of an impending flood disaster.

The Executive Secretary of Benue-SEMA, James Iorpuu announced the alert after receiving critical weather updates from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

The agencies predict a five-day period of heavy rainfall from Tuesday September 16 with a high likelihood of severe flooding across the State.

According to Iorpuu, the areas most at risk include Udoma, Ugbokpo, Ukgbokolo, Ukpiam, Otobi, Otukpo, Mbapa, Makurdi, Gbajimba, Logo, and Abinsi. 

He emphasised the need for immediate action, urging residents to relocate as a precautionary measure.

He further assured the public that the agency, with the full support of Governor Hyacinth Alia, is fully prepared to assist those affected by the potential disaster.

To mitigate the impact, the Executive Secretary has listed designated camps for residents in high-risk areas to relocate to. 

According to him, in Makurdi, those living in Kanshio, Logo 1 and 2, Achusa, Judges Quarters, Behind Hotel Lucia, and near BSU are advised to move to the Makurdi International School along George Akume Road.

Residents of Kucha Utebe, Brewery, Gyado Villa, Mu, and Wurukum should move to LGEA Primary School Wurukum (popularly known as Suswam Thank You).

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Those in Rice Mill, Agboughul, Tionsha, and Wadata should relocate to NKST Primary School Wadata, while residents in North Bank should move to St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School.
For Abinsi, LGEA Primary School Abinsi is the designated camp, and those in Gbajimba are urged to relocate to Government Secondary School Gbajimba.

Residents in Otukpo should move to St. Francis Otukpo, while those in Agatu should head to Oweto.People in Ogbokolo, Ogbokpo, Mbapa, and Uikpiam are advised to seek safer grounds close to them, where they can be accessed by Benue-SEMA.

Iorpuu stated the early warnings and weather predictions were intended to prompt proactive measures and reduce the risk posed by both natural and human-induced disasters in the state.

He urged all residents in flood-prone areas to heed the warnings to ensure their safety.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has revealed the data showing student loan applicants by state of origin.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had in July launched NELFUND.

The revised Student Loan Act 2024 was signed to remove financial barriers and make education more accessible to all Nigerian students regardless of their economic background.

The loans cover tuition, fees and maintenance costs. The repayment process starts two years after the beneficiary completes the NYSC programme.

The federal government recently allocated over N2.5 billion in student loans to over 22,000 students nationwide, with institutions in the Southeast notably absent from the list of beneficiaries.

Students from Kano and Borno States have emerged as the frontrunners in the NELFUND student loan applications.

Kano State recorded 17,122 applications out of 20,814 registered tertiary students.  

Borno State followed closely with 13,798 students applying for the loan out of 16,353 registered students.

These figures were shared on NELFUND’s X account, highlighting the distribution of registered students and subsequent loan applicants by state of origin.

Benue State ranked third, with 11,754 of its 16,127 registered students applying for the student loan.

Oyo State saw 14,086 students register, with 8,990 moving forward with the application process.

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In Kaduna State, 13,873 students registered, and 10,380 proceeded to apply.

Katsina State had 13,538 students register, of which 10,952 eventually applied.

Osun State registered 13,368 students, with 8,093 applying for the loan.

Kogi State saw 12,675 students register for the NELFUND student loan, with 8,400 of them proceeding to apply.

In Plateau State, 11,624 students registered, and 9,328 of them went on to submit their loan applications.

Adamawa State had 11,219 students register, of which 8,977 successfully applied for the loan.

Kwara State recorded 11,126 registrations, with 7,645 students applying for the loan.

In Taraba State, 10,699 students registered for the student loan, and 8,668 of them proceeded to apply.

Yobe State had 10,398 students register, with 8,966 going on to apply for the loan.

Ogun State saw 10,387 registrations, with 5,943 students moving forward with the application.

Akwa Ibom State recorded 9,594 registrations, with 6,525 students applying for the loan.

In Bauchi State, 8,358 students registered, and 6,517 applied for the student loan.