Tag: Benue

The Police Command in Benue said yesterday that  no fewer than 20 medical students from University of Jos were kidnapped in Otukpo on Thursday evening.

Benue Police Public Relations Officer Sewuese Anene told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday by telephone that the incident happened at 5.30 pm.

Anene said that the students who were traveling to Enugu for their annual Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students convention were ambushed and kidnapped in Otukpo.

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She said that investigation into the matter was ongoing, adding that there was no additional information as at the time of filing this report.

“A report was received that medical students from Jos were on their way from Jos to Enugu and were kidnapped around Otukpo.

“No fewer than 20 students were ambushed and kidnapped around Otukpo. They are coming from Jos,” she said.

Some gunmen on Friday shot dead a humanitarian worker, Chris Terfa Akpu, in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

The late Akpu was killed by unknown gunmen in his office in Catholic Youth Centre Church, Makurdi.

The Nation learnt that the unidentified assailants shot him several times in the chest and he died at the spot before help could come his way.

According to one of his friends who spoke with The Nation on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, “the gun men gained access into the office after shooting the security guard on duty. They also forced a member of the staff who led them into the Ikpu’s office where he was shot dead.

Read Also: Gunmen kill humanitarian worker in Benue

Another friend of the deceased by name Mr. Stanley Chimin stated that he “just returned from official engagement outside the state before he met his untimely death.

He said his body had been deposited at in the morgue of Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi

At the time of filing this report, the Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Police Command, SP Sewuese Anene, had not responded to messages sent to her phone.

Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has expressed sadness over another unprovoked attack on Ayati Village in Ukum Local Government Area, where many people were reportedly killed.

Alia, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Friday, condemned the new wave of attacks.

The governor, who expressed worry over the attack on unarmed innocent citizens by armed bandits, said that such heinous acts have continued in the state despite the strong security presence.

He, however, makes a firm determination to continue to use lawful procedures to protect Benue people, particularly Ukum, which has been on the front lines of attacks lately.

Alia called on security agencies to improve their surveillance and ensure that vulnerable communities were not left unguarded.

Read Also: Militia kill over 30 persons in Benue community

The governor condoled with the families that lost their loved ones in the unfortunate attack and prayed God to comfort them.

He assured the people that his administration would continue to explore both discreet and open measures with a view to ensuring that Sankera retraces her path of peace and lives happily again.

(NAN)

The Benue Government has confirmed the killing of over 30 persons by local militia in Ayati village, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue on Thursday night.

Mr Matthew Aboh, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism stated this while addressing newsmen on Friday in Makurdi.

Aboh said that adequate security has been deployed to the area to restore order.

The commissioner said a total of 30 bodies were recovered after the attack, adding that more bodies were still being recovered in the bushes.

He blamed the killings on the battle for supremacy between the local militias within the area.

Read Also: Police kill six in Benue community

“I was informed yesterday night through the telephone that bandits were attacking and killing people at Ayati village.

“Today I confirmed that the number of persons killed as I talk to you was 30 .They are still recovering corpses in the bushes so the number is yet to be ascertained.

“In Ayati village what I heard is that one of the bandits’ maternal village is  Ayati and the other one’s maternal village is Tine-nune, Mbatyem.

“All of them are tough and fighting themselves. So anytime any one goes to the maternal village of the other and kills people the other will retaliate. So it is reprisal upon reprisal attacks,”he said.

However, a resident of Ukum who spoke on condition of anonymity, who didn’t want to be named for fear of being attacked, said over 50 corpses were recovered.

When contacted, SP Sewuese Anene,  Public Relations Officer, Police Command in Benue, confirmed the attack through a text message.

 “I’m aware there was an attack and I’m waiting for briefing from officers on ground please,“she said.(NAN)

Not fewer than 18 persons have been killed by suspected local bandits in Harga area of Katsina- Ala Local Government Area in Benue State.

The incident occurred on Friday.

Harga is a yam producing town located on Katsina Ala  – Takum road.

The attackers are believed to be local militias operating  in Ukum, Logo and Katsina Ala Local Government Area, also known as Sankera geo- political bloc.

The attackers , who were  said to be armed  with sophisticated  weapons, stormed Harga settlement at about 5pm, and moved from one house to another, shooting and killing people including women and children.

Many others, according to eyewitnesses, escaped with serious injuries.

Read Also: No death of children at Benue Idp camps – Bsema

A former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry Hon. Terfa Hindan, who is an indigene of Harga, told The Nation that many people had fled Harga.

“As I speak to you, I’m now in Katsina Ala which is not even safe. The armed youths are moving from one house to another in Harga killing everyone in sight and burning houses.  Many have been displaced and many injured.

He said “This has been going on unabated for long but we are helpless , and we are begging  security personnel to  save our people and village from total destruction .

Benue Police Public Relations Officer,Kate Aneene, an SP, said she was yet to get any report from Harga.

The Police Command in Benue has confirmed the abduction of Dr Emmanuel Barki, the acting Rector, Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo.

Its Public Relations Officer, Mr Sewuese Anene, while confirming the incident, said the Rector was kidnapped with others on their way to Ugbokolo, after an official trip to Makurdi.

Also taken were some management staff of the polytechnic and their driver.

READ ALSO: Benue indigenes appeal to FG to convert polytechnic to skills acquisition centre

NAN sources indicated that the abductees were herded into the bush with their vehicle abandoned on the highway.

Chief Joseph Har, Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, who equally confirmed the incident, said that security personnel had swung into action to rescue the victims.(NAN)

A former Benue Governor Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Hamed Lawal (rtd) is dead.

He became the second past Benue military Governors to die in 2024. 

Group Captain Joshua Obademi, who also served the State between 1993-1996 died this year and was buried early this month in Lagos.

AVM Lawal, (populary known then in the Ztate as Group Captain Bayo Lawal) was the military Governor of Benue State from 1978-1979.

He handed over to Mr Aper Aku as the first civilian Governor. 

He was a one-time  Minister of Youth and Sports.

According to his daughter, Mrs. Yinka Enahoro, the late AVM Lawal died in his sleep in the early hours of Sunday at his home at 83.

Sergeant at Arms at the National Assembly, Air Commodore Sani Zakari (rtd), who also confirmed the ex-Minister’s death to the media stated that the funeral will be held on Monday.

AVM Frank Ajobena (rtd) further said AVM Bayo Lawal passed on in his sleep at the early hours of Sunday 23 Jun 24. 

AVM was born on 14 September, 1941 in Offa, Kwara State.

He attended Government College, Ibadan between 1955 and 1962 before joining the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in 1963 among the pioneer officers.

Lawal was trained as a Military Pilot in West Germany from where he graduated in 1964.

His postings included Commander, NAF Port Harcourt (1969–1970), Commander, Enugu Air Force Base, 1970-72; NAF Kano twice; (1972–1973) and (1975–1977) and Air Officer Commanding HQ Tactical Air Command NAF Makurdi. (1977–1978).

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AVM Lawal was a very active and vibrant fighter pilot who was at a point the Commander, Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi, 1977-78, before his appointment as Military Governor of Benue State in July 1978 until October 1979.

At one-time, he was Director of Air Faculty Command and Staff College Jaji.

He was later appointed Minister of Youth and Sports.

After retirement, he went into business and faith-based philanthropy.

He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. 

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has said his ongoing ‘Thank You Tour’ is giving him firsthand information on how to fix Benue State and make it a better place for all.

Governor Alia on Tuesday embarked on ‘thank you tour’ across the three Senatorial zones of the state.

So far, he has completed the tour in zone A and B, and now shifted to Benue South Senatorial District, otherwise known as zone C.

Governor Alia stated this on Friday at the IBB Square in Makurdi, when he was received by the people of Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency.

He appreciated the people of the constituency for giving him the highest number of votes during the 2023 governorship election, insisting that he has not taken that support for granted, and will reward them with more good governance.

The governor, while promising to make the tour a constant in the life of his administration, asked for patience from the people of the state for his government and that of the Tinubu-led federal government, assuring that the APC government will continue to do its best for the people of Benue.

He highlighted some of the projects his administration has undertaken in the constituency to include numerous road projects and underpass in Makurdi.

The governor equally appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his good leadership and support to the State.

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He charged the people of the constituency and state to ignore those who have chosen to only criticise his government, saying despite their unfair criticisms, they will still get to ply the beautiful roads and equally enjoy the other good things being provided by his administration.

He assured that he would not fail Benue, especially as he has accepted the responsibility of steering the affairs of the state with the fear of God and with all sense of humility.

Chairman of the Elders Council, Senator Barnabas Gemade, commended Governor Alia for the wonderful foundation he is laying for the State, insisting that with the level he has started, he remained unopposed ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

On his part, the Acting State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, while receiving decampees from other political parties into the APC, urged them to key into the manifesto of the party and support the administration of the governor.

Earlier at the Palace of Tor Lobi, Chief Moses Mfave Anageende, the governor had solicited for the support of the traditional rulers for his administration.