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Tag: Benue

  • JAMB gives candidates 24hrs to complete registration

    JAMB gives candidates 24hrs to complete registration

    …..Vows to prosecute mysterious ‘snake’ that swallowed N36m

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has given 24 hours to candidates who have obtained their pins to complete their registration.

    The board gave the advice in a statement to announce the close of sales of forms for this year’s unified tertiary matriculation examination.

    According to the statement issued by its Head of Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, on Tuesday, in Abuja, the board noted that it would not entertain any complaints from candidates who fail to complete their registration exercise.

    He said the extension applied to candidates who had initiated registration processes and had paid and procured the registration e-pins but could not register at the closed of sales.

    The statement reads: “Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board wishes to inform the general public that the sale of 2018 UTME application is closed.

    “However, the public is urged to note that all candidates who paid and obtained pins and could not unsuccessfully register at the close of sale are allowed to quickly within 24hrs complete their registration as no complaints would be entertained afterwards

    “For purposes of emphasis, this applies to only candidates who had initiated registration processes and have paid and procured the registration e-pins but could not registered at the closed of sales.

    “Take note that candidates are not to generate any profile codes (55019) for the purpose of 2018 UTME registration as doing so would have no effect and a waste of time and resources. Profile codes generation through 55019 will only be used for Direct Entry Registration which is still ongoing.

    “The Board commenced the sale of the 2018 UTME registration on the 6th of December, 2017 and was to close on the 6th of February, 2018 but extended to 11th of February, 2018.

    “At the close of pin vending, a total of 1,662,818 candidates paid and obtained the e-pins while 1,650,547 had successfully registered for the 2018 UTME. The difference are the numbers outstanding who have not registered but are holding the e-pins and are now allowed to register within 24hrs.

    Meanwhile, the board has vowed to unravel, arrest and prosecute the alleged mysterious snake which allegedly swallowed N36 million in one of its offices in Benue state.

    The board also promised to deploy it resources to bring to book any of its officers or stakeholders who is caught in any activities not in line with its policies.

    “We are not going to take lightly our fight against corruption no matter who is involved.

    “On the snake issue, the board maintain that there is no hiding place for any form of crime to thrive in the running of the board’s activities.

    Read Also: JAMB  sells 1.6m 2018 UTME forms

    “We are going to unravel, arrest and prosecute this alleged mysterious snake, just as we are going to bring to book any of our officers or stakeholders who is caught in any activities not in line with the board’s policies.

    According to the statement, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has discovered some of its officers who have misappropriated funds belonging to the agency in its state offices.

    Benjamin said the board would not leave any stone unturned in its effort to stamp out corruption in its activities.

    “Another of such cases uncovered by the Oloyede management led team is that of a state officer who also failed to give account of monies realized from the sales of the card but rather claimed that he was on his way to return some unsold scratch cards when he was involved in a car crash and the car was burnt with the cards.

    “He had claimed that all the cards then got burnt in the process, just as he failed to account for those sold before the ban on the use of scratch cards.

    “We are out to carry careful scrutiny of government funds, as well as block all leakages and loop holes. We will not condone or hide any act of misconduct, no matter how uncomfortable or unpleasant it may be to the board or any stakeholder.

    “We have deployed machineries that fights corruptions, infractions, and admission malpractice, financial misappropriation in a total and comprehensive manner.

    “There will be no sacred cow, be it a staff of the board or any stakeholder partnering with the board.

    “In JAMB, we have nothing to hide. We run an open door system where the public must have an unfettered access to information, be it positive or negative, whether in the present or past.

    “The fact remains that the officer in question in our Benue office and many others found in similar situations in some other states had diverted the fund before the assumption of office of the current Registrar.

    “But, be that as it may, management is working assiduously to arrest and hand over to the appropriate quarters, this “snake” that swallowed our N36 million and a host of others still in our system,” the statement added.

     

  • Missing policeman found dead in Benue

    Missing policeman found dead in Benue

    •Herdsmen kill two NSCDC men

    One of the two policemen declared missing after an encounter with Fulani herdsmen in Benue State on Saturday has been found dead.

    Four policemen were initially declared missing after they were ambushed by herdsmen in Tse Akpan in Logo Local Government but two returned unhurt.

    The policeman’s body was found in the bush in Azege, Tombo Ward yesterday by a police search team. It was dismembered.

    Benue Police spokesman  Moses Yamu said the body had been deposited in the mortuary.

    He did not disclose the name and rank of the policeman but said the police would remain undaunted in their efforts to tackle insecurity.

    There is no trace yet of the remaining policeman, he said.

    Also yesterday, bodies of two officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were found in Awanger village in Guma Local Government. They were also believed to have been killed by herdsmen.

    No official of the NSCDC was available to comment yesterday.

    Also yesterday, the Catholic Church prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims of the attacks.

    The mass was organised by the four Catholic Dioceses of  Makurdi, Gboko, Otukpo and Katsina-Ala.

    The Chairman of   Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, urged Benue people to unite in the face of the security challenges.

    Rev. Kaigama, who spoke at the memorial mass for the 73 victims of herdsmen attacks, said the people needed to unite and form a common front devoid of political, religious and traditional sentiments to tackle the security challenges in the state.

    The cleric promised to make  a case on the plight of  the people to the CBCN for consideration.

    Bishop William Avenya of  Gboko Diocese said the site where the 73  victims  were buried would be turned into a pilgrimage centre and a monument of prayer.

    Avenya said the deceased would be immortalised so that they would be remembered for centuries to come.

    The cleric also urged the people not to lose hope, stressing that God would never forsake them.

    He called on security agencies to hunt down and prosecute the killers, adding that justice must be given to Benue people.

    The bishop, however, warned the  people against posting provocative statements on the social media to heighten tension.

    Governor Samuel Ortom expressed appreciation to the Catholic Church for organising the memorial mass. He praised the church for standing for justice and the oppressed, promising that his administration would continue to listen and act on its advice.

    Ortom vowed that he would not relent in carrying out the wishes  of the electorate.

    Tor Tiv, others reject Operation Cat Race

    Benue paramount traditional ruler – the Tor Tiv – along with some stakeholders yesterday rejected the military exercise Operation Cat Race due for launch this weekend in Benue and other states where the herdsmen killings are prevalent.

    The operation has a Tiv language code name Ayem Akpatuma.

    The military said last week that its intention is to flush out the killer-herdsmen within the six-week operation.

    But the Tor Tiv and the others made their views known to the sub-committee of the Panel led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The panel was raised by the Federal Government to find a permanent solution to the killings..

    Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi led the team to Benue.

    The Tor Tiv  Prof. James Ayatse in his submission, expressed concern about the committee, considering the comments credited to some top government officials including Inspector general of police Ibrahim Idris and Minister of Defence Manir Dan Ali.

    Prof. Ayatse noted that if the IG described the killings in Benue as communal and the Minister of Defence said the blockade of grazing reserves and routes led to the killings, people could imagine the  kind of report that would come out from such a committee.

    Pastor Dave Ogbole said they had no confidence in the planned joint military operation because the date of their arrival had been  announced  ahead of time.

    “The motive of operation Ayem Akpatuma is nothing but to harasses our youths as they already had a notion that Governor Ortom armed the youths.

    Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of  Justice Mike Aondoakaa  told the committee that ECOWAS Protocol provided that any one bringing cattle into the country must be registered and show his passport .

    Aondoakaa added that it was wrong to just allow cattle into the country because some might be infected with dangerous diseases likely to cause an epidemic.

     

  • Two policemen missing in Benue herdsmen attack

    Two policemen missing in Benue herdsmen attack

    The Benue State Police command at the weekend declared four of their men missing after a patrol vehicle in which they operated was set ablaze.

    It was ambushed by suspected herdsmen in Logo Local Government.

    The incident occurred in Tse Akpam village, Azege, Mbaya, Tombo ward on Saturday.

    It was gathered that the police patrol team came under attack when they responded to a distress call that herdsmen and their cattle were destroying crops and setting houses ablaze in Tse Akpam village.

    A community leader in Azege, Unande Timothy, said on telephone that the police patrol team went after the herdsmen.

    He said at a point there was no road for the patrol vehicle and they parked the van and continued to chase the suspects on foot.

    According to Unande, some herdsmen retreated to set the patrol vehicle ablaze.

    Benue State police spokesman Moses Yamiu, said the police had launched a search for their missing men who he said were on confidence-building patrol when they were ambushed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    Yamu confirmed that the herdsmen set their vehicle ablaze.

    However, two of the missing policemen returned unhurt. Benue State police commissioner Fatai Owoseni confirmed their return.

    He said “Two officers rejoined their colleagues. Unhurt. Hoping to see the remaining two.”

    Suspected herdsmen still continued with their killings at the weekend with attacks on palm wine tappers in Kaduna and policemen in Benue.

    They were linked with the killing of four persons and injuring of one in an attack on Bakin Kogi village in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State yesterday.

    It was learnt that the victims were palm wine tappers who came from other communities to conduct their business.

    A source told our correspondent on telephone that four of the palm wine tappers were attacked and killed in the bush. One escaped with serious injury.

    He said: “Those killed were palm wine tappers, but they are not members of the community. They do come from another community.

    “They were tapping palm wine when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen. I cannot tell you where they came from for now. But they are not from our community here.

    “Policemen have visited the place and evacuated their bodies. The area is calm as I speak with you.”

    Another source claimed that “the attackers in their numbers around 9am, stormed the village from the outskirt, and shot sporadically at innocent persons, killing four and injuring one.

    “Other people at the scene escaped unhurt while the victims died of bullet wounds,” the source added.

    Commissioner of Police Austin Iwar requested for more time to confirm the story.

    “I cannot confirm this to you now. Give me till tomorrow,” he said.

    The Command’s spokesman, ASP Mukhtar Aliyu, was quoted to have confirmed the incident though he was yet to get full details as at press time.

    “The police spokesman in the district and the Area Commander said they were collating assessment reports in the affected community,” he said.

    Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi 11 yesterday advised herders to rein in the criminals among them.

    He also urged them to imbibe the culture of patience and perseverance even in the face of provocation by farmers or their local community.

    The Emire spoke at the weekend in Minna, the Niger State capital, during a meeting between traditional rulers/North’s leaders and Fulani herders’ associations organised to end  killings and incessant clashes between herders and farmers.

    He urged stakeholders to liaise with governors of Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa and Kano states who had indicated interest to allocate grazing reserves, with a view to developing such land to house their cattle.

    . Emir Sanusi said Fulani “are neither terrorists nor criminals “as perceived by some Nigerians. He described them as law abiding citizens who respect constituted authorities.

    He urged Nigerians to avoid ethnic profiling whenever a crime is committed by persons of certain tribe, adding that criminals have no tribal marks.

    The Lamido of Adamawa,  Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, attended the meeting. Former Ahmadu Bello University Vice Chancelor Prof. Ango Abdullahi and Dr. Aliyu Tilde, among others, were there.

    They met with the leadershipof Fulani socio-cultural groups, such as Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBA), Miyetti Allah Katul Houre and Gan Allah Fulani Development Association.

    The Zonal Chairman of the National Executive Committee of MACBA, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, said governors ought to emulate Governors Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi  (Enugu) who had effectively stemmed the recurring clashes between farmers and herders in their states when other governors and the Federal Government were at a loss on what to do.

    He said the two governors were open-minded in their approach to tackling the clashes, adding that through stakeholders meetings which included the leadership of the herders associations, farmers’ unions, traditional rulers and community leaders across all the local government areas, they understood the causes of the clashes and found amicable ways of addressing them.

    Siddiki said measures, which had worked in stemming the tide of violent conflicts among herders and farmers in the two states, should serve as models to other governors.

    “Conflict between herdsmen and farmers has a long history; the solution has been to engage all stakeholders to find an amicable of resolving such,” he noted and urged politicians “to avoid exacerbating the conflict for selfish reasons”.

  • Benue: Is Ortom flirting with PDP?

    Benue: Is Ortom flirting with PDP?

    SINCE the new year killings of 73 farmers in Benue state by suspected Fulani herdsmen, Governor Samuel Ortom had being at loggerheads with the federal government and security agencies, particularly the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. Even though Governor Ortom visited Aso Rock alongside some prominent Benue elders and met with President Muhammadu Buhari recently, observers say the relationship between the duo may be worsening.

    Governor Ortom is simply that those who attacked and killed Benue people are known and must be arrested and prosecuted. He pointedly accused Meyitta Allah Kautal Houre , a Fulani group, of being the brain behind the attacks and killings  in the state . “I had informed the Inspector General of Police through a letter and all other security agencies of the plan attacks but nothing was done ” said Ortom.

    The governor, while organizing mass burial for the victims of the killings, lambasted the All Progressive Congress (APC) for failing to protect lives and property in Benue state. In addition, he had at several fora, called for the resignation of the Inspector General of Police.

    The continued altercation between Governor Ortom, who of the ruling APC and the federal government has provided an opportunity for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) to exploit the situation to its advantage. So far Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, had visited Benue and donated N200 million to support the internally displaced  persons (IDPs). Wike ,who also visited the grave site where 73 persons are buried, advised Ortom to return home.

    Many commentators are now interpreting Wike’s statement as an invitation to the Governor to return to the PDP where he originally belong to before defecting to APC to contest in the 2015. Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state, another PDP governor also came calling on Governor Ortom during the week. Like Wike, he visited the burial site and donated N10 million. He told the Governor to “join another vehicle” to continue his political journey as the one he is currently has broken down.

    Fayose used the occasion and told Governor Ortom that ‘ When you entered a vehicle and there is break down, you come down and join another to continued your journey . The message from Ayo Fayose was quite understanding ,he was telling Ortom to return to PDP. Before he joined APC during the 2015 was the minster of state for under President Goodluck administration ,he also over see Aviation Ministy when Oduah was sacked from office.

    With such development and recent statements of the governor himself, many observers are insinuating that Governor Ortom may be done with APC and on his way out of the party. Thus, his recent romance with PDP governors is seen by many as indications of the things to come as the 2019 general elections draws nearer.

    Following the above indications, some people within and outside the state are already asking the pertinent question; which party will he joined ? The easily available platform for him to seek is the PDP. But he will have to cross some hurdles to achieve that given the current soured relationship between him and the leadership of his former party in the state. A commission of enquiry set up by Ortom probed former Governor Gabriel Suswam and many PDP leaders in the state.

    The commission turned in a verdict which suggests that  over 109 billion was looted during the eight year tenure of Governor Suswam. Suswam, his aides, Commissioners and many others were harassed by several anti graft agencies. Suswam is still standing trial in an Abuja federal court alongside Oklobia Omadanchi, his Finance Commissioner, over alleged diversion of some investment funds.

    Suswam on his part denied any wrong doing and accused Governor Ortom of deliberate attempt to run him down politically. The two prominent Tiv sons took their fight to the media. There was and still biter rivalry between their political camps. Suswam is the leader of PDP in Benue state and the sole financier of party. Both Wike and Fayose visited Gabriel Suswam in his Makurdi residence during their visit to Ortom, This is to under score his important in PDP.

    If Ortom joins the PDP, how will he handle his relationship with Suswam and other PDP leaders across the state? Will he drop the cases against Suswam and others? Well, in politics as they say, there is no permanent enemy while only permanent interests exist. But is Ortom toying with the idea of returning to the PDP? Only Time will tell.

  •  ’Military operations in Benue, Taraba, others will avert further bloodshed’

     ’Military operations in Benue, Taraba, others will avert further bloodshed’

    A group, The Middle Belt Conscience Guard, has described the launch of operation rat race in the middle belt part of the country by the Nigerian Army as a timely intervention to avert further bloodshed in the region.

    The group called the Middle beltans to give their maximum co-operation to the military, saying it is important for them to allow the military get rid of killers under whatever guise.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, Convener /National President, Prince Raymond Enero, commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, for always leading the Nigerian Army to protect the sanctity of lives of all Nigerians.

    He said: “As law abiding people, we appeal to members of all our communities to provide information that will enable troops track down the killers that are clouding our land with sadness.

    “The people of the Middle Belt region would be the ultimate winner when Operation Cat Race succeeds as we expect it to. We look forward to a time when the states in the Middle Belt would no longer be used as the poster states for avoidable bloodletting.

    “We are eager to a return to a time when the entire area covered by the North-Central geo-political zone and outlying areas are back to providing an abundance of plant and animal produce to nourish the country with surplus left for export.

    Such expectation can only come to fruition when farmers and herders are not at each other’s jugular, when expats and investors can visit to prospect without fear of being kidnapped and when people are confident of their safety while in transit for their legitimate livekihood.”

    He said the group had wished for this kind of military operation owing to the menace of the identified security problems that falls within the remit of the operation.

    He said: “We have learnt that other military and security services will be collaborating with the Nigerian Army during the operation that would target killer-herdsmen, cattle rustlers, armed bandits, kidnappers, armed militias and other criminal elements in addition to providing training for troops.

    He said similar deployments of troops in certain other geo-political zones were greeted with unnecessarily sensationalized, politicized and demonized by groups that have dark agenda for their people.

    According to Enero, such attitude was even as the larger population in these areas hailed the succession of the operations by the Nigerian Army as helping to restore peace, sanity and stability in their towns and villages.

    He appealled to the political class to desist from the tendency to exploit an operation like this for selfish gains, stressing that the sanctity of the life of the people is greater than any monetary, material or positional gains anyone could hope to make.

    He said:  “This is why we warn state governors, the leadership of farmers’ groups or associations, the leadership of herders’ groups or associations, traditional and religious leaders not to engage in any acts that would deprive the people of the Middle-Belt of the advantages of the military exercise. Because we see this as a timely intervention to avert further bloodshed in our region, we will not hesitate to rise against anyone that that stands in the path of our return to peace.”

  • Air Force tackles herdsmen/farmers clashes in Taraba, Benue, others

    Air Force tackles herdsmen/farmers clashes in Taraba, Benue, others

    The Nigerian Air Force Thursday said it would be involved in the operations in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa to tackle incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar made the disclosure in Abuja at a lecture to participants of Course 26 of the National Defence College, (NDC).

    He explained that the intervention of the NAF would be through the establishment of Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Taraba state and Quick Rsponse Wing along Benue and Nasarawa axis.

    In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, the Air Chief said the developments were part of elaborate efforts to address the security challenges facing the country.

    The statement reads: “The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Thursday disclosed plans by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to establish a Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Taraba State, as part of plans to further tackle the incessant herdsmen-farmers clash in the country.

    “The CAS, who disclosed the plans while delivering a lecture to participants of National Defence College (NDC) Course 26 in Abuja, also announced plans to establish a Quick Response Wing along the Benue-Nassarawa Axis.

    “The title of the lecture, which lasted one hour, was ‘The Nigerian Air Force – Challenges and Future Perspectives’. Participants of the Course are drawn from senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and those of sister African countries, senior officials of other security agencies in Nigeria as well as those of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    “The lecture afforded the CAS to share thoughts with the participants on how the National Defence Policy prescribes that the NAF should be employed, out of which the mission statement of the NAF was coined.

    “Air Marshal Abubakar also spoke on the current and likely threats as well as contingencies from the perspective of air operations. He then elucidated on his vision for the NAF while also highlighting current efforts at actualizing it.

    “Some of the initiatives included but are not limited to the establishment of new commands and some units, improvement in human capacity development, improved aircraft serviceability and logistics support as well as enhanced personnel welfare.

    “He also spoke about the efforts being made in the area of research and development towards improved self-sufficiency, as a result of which the NAF is currently making great savings in foreign exchange.

    “Thereafter, he discussed the current NAF Force structure, doctrine, current capabilities and equipment holding in response to threats alongside the NAF’s strategic plan before looking at NAF future perspectives.

    “The CAS equally examined the challenges and constraints to the NAF’s air power effectiveness before concluding the lecture by discussing the strategies to countering the challenges enumerated. The lecture was followed by a stimulating interactive session.

    “In his closing remarks, the Commandant of NDC, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, declared that “You cannot win any war today without an effective and virile Air Force”.

    “He then added that there was no doubt that the current NAF leadership is taking a lot of laudable and unprecedented steps, especially in the area of technological development, in a bid to reposition the NAF for greatness.

    “He particularly cited the recent feats by the NAF in locally designing and producing an operational Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, among many other breakthroughs in the area of research and development. He then seized the opportunity to congratulate the CAS on the recent passage of the bill establishing the Air Force Institute of Technology Kaduna, which he believed would further enhance technological growth in the NAF.

    “It is recalled that the NAF had also earlier announced plans to establish FOBs in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, as part of its commitment to combatting emerging security challenges in those parts of the country”.

  • Tiv residents flee Nasarawa State

    Tiv residents flee Nasarawa State

    There is an influx of Tiv residents from Nasarawa State into Benue State, following sustained attacks by suspected Fulani militia.

    Suspected Fulani herdsmen are said to have launched attacks on Tiv indigenes in Nasarawa State.

    The busy Lafia/Makurdi road has been overtaken by victims of Fulani attacks who are heading towards Benue.

    Areas mostly affected are Kadarko, Awe town and the border communities.

    Read Also: Taraba Tiv president: We’ve lost 32 persons to herdsmen

    Women with children on their back were seen trekking long distances, looking tired and hungry. Some of the children were half-naked, just as men carrying mattresses and personal belongings also fled.

    A Nursing mother, Juliana Uma, said her husband and two children were killed after suspected herdsmen attacked their village.

    She said she doesn’t know where she was going, but just fleeing for her life.

    “Since they killed my husband and children I have to run for my life,” she said.

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom said there are seven IDPs camps with over 100,000 people there. He appealed to the Federal Government to assist with relief materials.

  • Benue: The beginning of the end?

    Benue: The beginning of the end?

    Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

    A gory episode of annihilation was perpetrated on New Year Day by a murderous group of Fulani herdsmen in far-flung communities in Benue State. This manner of attack has been sustained in the state in the last two years and this latest pogrom was not devoid of the barbaric pattern that has become the signature of the herdsmen’s presence in Benue State.

    The details of the massacre – the diligent butchering and wholesale mop-up of humanity – are already out there in the public domain. In the twinkle of an eye, people who were preparing to celebrate the New Year and thank God for surviving the economic hardship which is another deliberate creation of the leadership of our nation over the years were slaughtered like rams.

    They did not die in battle; they were murdered, several of them in their family compounds and farmlands. Children, barely old enough to say “herdsmen” were cut to pieces on the very pieces of land they called home. In three days, 73 people were murdered in cold blood.

    I followed my unit consultant for routine ward rounds at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and saw more victims of the massacre. There was a man whose entire wrist was slashed – the skin, tendons and bones. He writhed in agony each time the doctor touched the hand. In the next ward lay a woman with a fractured forearm and wrist. In a bid to escape the murderous herdsmen, she and several others had hid in a truck which fell on its side, injuring them.

    At the other end of the same ward, we saw a girl who was in the tipper. She was being investigated for a spinal cord injury. The next day, I stood at the gate of the hospital and watched truckloads of coffins conveying the victims’ corpses to the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Square in Makurdi for the funeral ahead of a mass burial later that day.

    In the days that followed, the world watched the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government’s active inaction with embarrassment and mounting rage. But the Benue people were not disappointed. The government stayed faithful to what is, indisputably, a well-conceived script of indifference towards the plight of the people.

    Government officials embarrassed themselves by the insensitive comments they made about the massacre. The Inspector-General of Police denied the massacre on television, arguing that what had happened was a communal crisis. The Agriculture Minister, Audu Ogbeh, has since been all over the place with his latest innovation – cattle colonies.

    The association of cattle herders known as Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore has become a household name for mindless terror in Nigeria. The herders have blatantly and most provocatively carried out their agenda of destruction with reckless abandon.

    Last year, when the Benue State Government made the Anti-Open Grazing Law, the herdsmen swiftly called a press conference and threatened to fight against it. The Federal Government wants to deceive Nigerians into believing that this is not an occupation agenda, although it clearly is. The herdsmen have never left anyone in doubt as to what their intentions are.

    In that press conference, they claimed they were the original occupants of the Benue Valley and are fighting to take it back.

    But, rather than rise above the ethnic allegiances of its officials and address this herdsmen agenda with the resoluteness required, the government has sought to defend it. In Southern Kaduna, Governor Nasir el-Rufa’i reportedly claimed the invaders were foreigners who were in Nigeria to avenge the killing of a member of a “prominent” Fulani family. And in a bid to secure peace, the state government was allegedly paying the invaders compensation.

    One argument of the herdsmen’s patrons is that the killers are not herdsmen but invaders. Even in the government, this seems to be the prevailing narrative. Although Nigerians are no longer interested in the argument about the origin of the killers, they are curious about why the government faithfully refrains from its constitutional duty of providing security each time these “invaders” are in town. People have also noted with suspicion the disparity in deployment of troops in areas of conflict across the country.

    For example, Operation Python Dance was swiftly unleashed to quell the agitations for Biafra in the Southeast. There was also Operation Crocodile Smile in the Southsouth. However, no operation, not even Cock Crow, has been launched in Benue State.

    Apparently, only President Buhari knows why his government is always handicapped against the herdsmen. The government’s only stand has been to acquire grazing land for the herdsmen in the very places where they are annihilating communities. Whenever there is a fresh attack, the government only shouts this position louder. Is it not curious that on one hand the government says the killers are not herdsmen, and yet on the other hand, it says the solution to the killing is to provide grazing land for herdsmen?

    As these arguments go forth and back, we still have the chance to salvage this nation and build a genuinely prosperous country. But men of goodwill from all ethnic and religious persuasions must prevail on the Federal Government to impartially arrest and prosecute those responsible for these atrocities. We must not be silent. For when the kind of thing happening in Benue only attracts the kind of response the government has always given, it signifies the beginning of the end except men of goodwill break their silence. Good night, victims.

     

    • Msonter, 500-Level Medicine and Surgery, Benue State University

     

  • Benue: 120 facing trial

    Benue: 120 facing trial

    No fewer than 145 suspects have been arrested by the police over the killings in Benue State.

    Of these suspects, 124 have been charged to court. The rest are under investigation.

    Sixteen suspects have been arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of seven persons believed to be Fulani in Gboko by some Tiv youths on January 31.

    It was learnt that intelligence reports have linked the killings to the heinous activities of herdsmen;  Shittile militias of Katsina-Ala,  livestock guards of Ukum Local Government Area, and activities of vigilance and Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF).

    These are contained in the fact-sheet made available to the Senate Joint Committee, drawn from Police Affairs and  Intelligence committees, by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim  Idris on Friday.

    The report was made available to members of the joint committee which was raised for fact-finding.

    Part of the report, which was obtained by our correspondent, indicated that the killings in Benue State had complications with attendant ethnic tone.

    Part of the report said: “From the beginning of the crisis on 30th December to date, a total of 145 suspects were arrested. Out of which 124 suspects were charged to court while 21 suspects are under investigations and waiting to be charged to court.

    “Apart from being in constant touch with the governors of Benue and Nasarawa states, the Police Force  has intensified deployments with five more units of PMF personnel bringing the total to 10 PMF Units, a unit of Police Special Force, Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU), Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) to Benue State and five additional units of PMF to Nasarawa State respectively, while aerial surveillance has been intensified in the two states.”

    Some of those arrested and placed on trial were suspected herdsmen, including Saidu Gai, Ibrahim Baruwa; Ibrahim AlhajiTanko;  Ibrahim Abubakar;  Magaji Alhaji Yau; Jibrin Adamu;  Ibrahim Sale and  Sabiu Alhaji.

    The report traced many attacks to herdsmen militia from January 1, 2018 to January 24 in places like Tomatar in Sangev district ward of Guma Local Government Area; Bokin Kwalta; Yogbo village under Sumo Local Government Area; Tse-Urende village in Logo Local Government; Tse-Mbakgihir village in Logo Government; Tse-Akombo village in Mbaniage district of Logo Local Government; Ukyongu village Guma LGA; and Angbayre (2)Toregena and (3) Anguri all in Benue State but near Kadarko in Nasarawa State among others

    The report added: “On 25/01/2018 at 1200hrs, two visiting PMF units from 20 and 32 led by their respective unit commanders while on patrol at Sati village Gama LGA were ambushed by a group suspected to be pastoralists, in the process Insp. Abdullahi Isiaka was shot and wounded on the leg, he is being treated at Gbajimba General hospital.

    “While Sgt. Solomon Dung was reported missing. Search for him has been intensified. However, on 25/01/2018 Police team from Awe axis of Nasarawa State Command arrested the following suspects: namely (1) Haruna Koligi (2) Isah Mallam all Fulani herdsmen in connection with the above attack. Equally arrested were Pastor Kudun Clifford, Umar Mahamud and Yahaya Mohammed Doso for gun running while six Plateau indigenes namely Danalami Audu, Mark Fidelix, Danjuma Basuk, James Tabir, Bitrus Dashi, Nyamge Elias and Tanko David for culpable homicide. All the suspects were charged to court for their respective offences mentioned above.”

    Apart from the herdsmen, there were also some attacks attributed to Shitile Militia and Civilian JTF and Livestock guards.

    About  573  of the houses were rated as “thatched” which indicated that  villagers were mostly victims.

    One of those who lost their houses was the Security Adviser to the Benue State Governor whose house was razed in Alaba.

    “In view of the foregoing, there is indeed no doubt that the implementation of Anti-Open Grazing Law by the Benue State government as expressed by stakeholders in Nasarawa State and Ayim in Benue State, is the root cause of the crisis.

    “ This is exacerbated by the recruitment and arming of untrained Civilian JTF/Livestock Guards with prohibited firearms whose composition is lopsided and comprising majorly persons of Tiv Ethnic Nationality.”

    On the murder of seven Fulani in Gboko on January 31 by some suspected Tiv youths, the intelligence report also confirmed the arrest of 16 suspects.

    It said: “On 31/01/2018 at about 1000hrs, 7 persons believed to be Fulanis were attacked md murdered by Suspected Tiv youths at Gboko LGA. The victims were attacked while boarding a commercial motor vehicle to Tamba State and their bodies were callously set ablaze.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Benue Command led police teams to Gboko and restored normalcy. Sixteen suspects were arrested namely: Akaazua Kuleve; Bem Asangu; Solomon Kaah; Terkaa Toona ; Tertseu Iyombee;  John Kumbul; Boniface Nyltamen; Baba Tsoho;  Terwase Yisa ;  Terese Zelemon ;  Onyebuchi Ugwu; Shimawa  Chiuma;  Simon Koko; Samuel Koko; Samuel Terhemba; and  Terfa Gogo;.”

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has lifted the curfew imposed on Gboko after the killings.

    A statement by the Special Adviser  to the governor on Media and ICT , Tahav Agerzua, said the governor  made the announcement at a meeting he held with leaders of the Benue Motorcycle Association across the state and heads of security agencies at the Benue Peoples House.

    The statement said: “Governor Ortom reiterated his condemnation of the killings at the Gboko motor park but maintained that the victims were not Fulani people as reported in some quarters.

    “The governor insisted that the criminals who carried out the condemnable act should be apprehended and prosecuted.

    “He urged the people not to take the laws into the hands but to report infringements on their rights to the appropriate authorities.

    “The governor expressed appreciation to the motorcycle association for its pledge to assist in tackling the security challenges in the state.

    “It could be recalled that a dusk to dawn curfew was imposed on Gboko town on 31st January, 2018, following security threats in the area.”

    The report recommended the following solutions to the incessant killings in Benue State.

    It said: “From the foregoing, it can be seen that the Police is doing all that it could to restore normalcy in the state However, this can be effectively achieved by

    (i)The state government, all relevant stakeholders as well as the citizens to engage in dialogue for a peaceful coexistence in the state.

    (ii.) The state to take a re-visit of the Anti-Open Grazing and Establishment of Ranches Law of the State with the aim of first providing ranches with the aim of a gradual implementation.

    (iii.) Re-establishment or bringing out of known cattle routes that hitherto used to exist.

    (iv.) Disbandment and disarming of the livestock guards. Shitile Tiv militias and any other militias groups in order to forestall prohibited firearms in hands of unauthorized individuals.

    (v), Adequate funding and increase in manpower for the Nigeria Police Force in other to meet all the requirements for effective policing of the nation.

  • ‘2,000 killed in Benue in two years’

    NO fewer than 2,000 people have been killed in Benue State, and property worth billions of naira destroyed by marauding Fulani herdsmen between 2017 and 2018, it was learnt yesterday.

    Commissioner for Information Lawrence Onoja, who addressed reporters, said Governor Samuel Ortom has called for the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, for his failure to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the “heinous” crime.

    According to him, the figure represents the official recorded number of people killed within the period, noting that other deaths were not recorded.

    He said: “The leaders of Miyeti Allah Kautal Hore have neither been arrested nor invited for questioning. Rather, different strategies have been devised to divert attention from the real issues.

    “When those entrusted with protecting life and property resort to placing unjustified blames on the good intentions of the Benue State government, then such people have unknowingly or knowingly become part of the problem.

    “Recall that the Senate gave the IGP two weeks to arrest and bring to book perpetrators of the New Year attacks on Benue communities, which he has failed to do till now.

    “I insist that Ibrahim Idris, by his comments, has demonstrated his incompetence as a police chief, and we have lost confidence and trust in him, since he either lacks the capacity to apprehend these Fulani militia, or by his inaction and utterances, portrayed himself as complicit in the plot to disposes our people of their ancestral land.

    “We call on the Federal Government to relieve Idris of his position as he has failed woefully in his duties.”

    Governor Samuel Ortom has lifted the curfew imposed on Gboko.

    Ortom, who spoke at a meeting with leaders of the Benue Motorcycle Association and heads of security agencies at the Benue Peoples House, condemned the Gboko motor park attack. He, however, said the culprits were not Fulani as reported.

    The Governor insisted that the criminals who carried out the condemnable act would be apprehended and prosecuted.

    He urged the people not to take the laws into the hands but report infringements on their rights to the appropriate authorities.

    Ortom thanked the association for their pledge to assist in tackling the security challenges in the state.

    A dusk to dawn curfew was imposed on Gboko on January 31 following security threats in the area.