Tag: Benue

The recent unprovoked attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on the Mbagena community in Mchihe Council Ward, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, have been condemned as barbaric, callous, and inhumane.  

Reports indicate that 11 people were killed, many others injured, and property worth several millions of naira was destroyed in the assault.  

The Sankera Peace and Development Forum (SAPEDEF), while strongly condemning the attacks, lamented that the casualties could have been far worse if not for the swift intervention of security agencies and the internal military outfit, Operation Whirl Stroke.

The group stated that the attacks highlight the bandit groups’ relentless efforts to undermine the hard-won peace restored by security agencies in the State.

In a statement on Tuesday, the National President Paul Gbande and the National Secretary Doshima Vembe expressed their condolences to the victims’ families, the affected communities, and the Benue State Government while urging security agencies to take decisive action in identifying and bringing the perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.

Noting that the level of brutality was deeply troubling, SAPEDEF called on the people of the area to remain calm, expressing its unflinching confidence in the security agencies to expose those behind the act and subsequently bring them to justice. 

The group described the renewed attacks in Sankera axis as a criminal act laced with political intent to undermine Governor Alia’s government in Benue State and insisted that the people of the area must begin to see beyond by rising against activities of the bandits whom they unfortunately see as heroes of the area. 

SAPEDEF warned that intelligence at its disposal linked the attacks in Sankera to bandits operating under code names such as Matthew, Chen, Full Fire, Overall Konyo, and Anyogo, alleging that Overall Konyo, in collaboration with some assailants, orchestrated the Katsina-Ala attack for personal gain.  

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The group further revealed that Chen recently rustled and killed over 100 cattle, though security forces, including Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), recovered most of them after a hot pursuit. It cautioned that this provocation could lead to further violence. 

It also accused Matthew of being deeply involved in kidnapping and armed robbery, posing a significant threat to residents, calling on the Sankera communities to unite against these criminals before their activities escalate beyond control.  

Urging security agencies to intensify surveillance, SAPEDEF warned that if proactive measures are not taken, another attack in the area could be imminent.  

While commending the Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala, Most Rev. Isaac Bundepuun Dugu, for his efforts in negotiating peace, SAPEDEF expressed concerns that, despite mediation efforts, the bandits’ continued criminal activities remain a major threat to peace in Sankara and Benue State. 

It further alleged that some of the criminals are working with political saboteurs to destabilize the State and must be stopped.  

Clarifying its non-political stance, SAPEDEF applauded Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for his commitment to security despite political blackmail. 

It urged the governor to remain steadfast and called on all stakeholders in Sankera to unite against internal and external collaborators fueling insecurity.  

The group also commended the launch of the Sankera Peace Initiative Panel, aimed at involving traditional rulers and stakeholders in resolving the crisis. 

It urged residents to support the state government’s peace efforts and called on both the federal and state governments to deploy urgent relief materials to affected communities.  

Acknowledging the swift intervention of Operation Whirl Stroke in preventing further casualties, SAPEDEF pledged continued support for security agencies and urged the public to assist through intelligence sharing. 

It stressed the need to expose criminals like Chen, Full Fire, Overall Konyo, and Anyogo, stating that, despite hailing from Sankera, they remain criminals being used by political actors to undermine peace in Benue state.

The death toll from suspected herdsmen attacks on Imande Gberihwa and Dikpo in Shitile Kpav, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, has risen to 20.

Recall that on Saturday, rampaging herdsmen launched coordinated attacks on border communities in Turan, Kwande local government area; Dikpo and Gberihwa in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area; Ukum Local Government Area; and Ayilamo in Logo Local Government Area. 

Several houses were set ablaze, and properties were destroyed or vandalized.

It was gathered that by Sunday, more bodies were discovered in the bush, increasing the death toll in Shitile Kpav to 20.

Addressing his constituents, the federal lawmaker representing Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala, Hon. Solomon Wombo, condemned the attacks, describing them as barbaric and inhuman. 

During a visit to the affected communities, Wombo assisted in the recovery of corpses for proper burial.

He lamented that his constituents had been driven 10 kilometers away from their ancestral homes, leaving them homeless. 

The lawmaker urged both the state and federal governments to deploy security forces, allowing the displaced residents to return home and resume farming.

Meanwhile, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, also condemned the attacks, particularly those in Dikpo and Imande Gberihwa. 

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Alia expressed condolences to the affected families and communities.

Describing the attack as a painful reminder of the state’s security challenges, Alia vowed that such cruelty would not be tolerated. 

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He reassured residents that his administration had already deployed security forces to the affected areas and was implementing enhanced measures to track down the attackers and prevent further violence.

“We are working closely with local law enforcement and community leaders to ensure that our villages can live in peace without fear of terrorism.

“To the people of Benue State, we want to assure you that your security is our top priority. We recognize the anxiety and fear that such incidents can cause, but we are committed to strengthening peace and security in our communities.

“Collectively, we will rise above this challenge and strengthen our resolve to protect our homes and loved ones.

“We appeal to everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. It is only through our concerted efforts that we can achieve lasting peace,” he said.

A member of the House of Representatives, Terseer Ugbor, has called for the activation of the export processing zone in Kwande local government area of Benue state as a strategic solution to the persistent farmer-herder clashes in the region.

Ugbor, who represents Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, emphasized that industrial and commercial activities would transform Kwande from a conflict zone into an economic hub.

His call follows recent attacks by suspected armed herdsmen, which reportedly left over a dozen people dead.

The lawmaker highlighted Kwande’s potential to drive economic growth, urging the federal government to establish a proper border post at the Kwande-Cameroon border and extend its presence into Benue’s hinterlands to enhance security.

He stressed that economic development, including the exploitation of solid minerals and enhanced trade opportunities with Cameroon, could significantly reduce criminal activities.

“With increased economic activities, it will be difficult for such criminality to persist,” Ugbor stated, adding that the area’s economic potential could contribute to Nigeria’s GDP if properly harnessed.

He called for more security personnel and infrastructural development to restore peace and drive economic progress in Kwande and Benue State.

He said: “We have clamoured over the last few years that the international border with Cameroon through Benue State should be properly established and the export processing zone which was approved many years ago for that region should be activated and industrial activities and commercial activities opened up for the region so that that region does not become a crisis hotspot and the country can reap the benefits of international trade, reap the benefit of industrialisation with the presence of the power plant, with the presence of an airport and then with the natural resources and the access roads around the area into the international community.

“It’s a very rich and prime area for economic activities and economic prosperity for Nigeria and for Benue State”.

He stated: “Especially that the region has also been recently found to have natural resources like gold, lithium and other precious stones.”

The lawmaker however said the major challenge remains insecurity, which has also distorted the state’s role as the country’s food basket.

He said: “As you may be aware, just recently we had, over the Christmas, 2024 Christmas season, we had an attack by the bandit Fulani Herdsmen in Kwande local government, which is a border community with Cameroon. And this attack took place between December 25th all through to the new year. It got so bad that the bandits had the audacity to attack an immigration outpost in that community and burnt down this outpost, which was the only standing security presence that we had in that community, that border community with Cameroon.

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“This immigration outpost did not necessarily have equipment or arms to defend itself, but at least it provided a semblance of a security presence in the place.

“Just yesterday to be precise, there was another killing that took place by the same Fulani bandits, who are suspected to be based and camped around the Kashimbila area. From the last count, we heard that about 13 persons have been killed and their bodies have been recovered. And you know the Kashimbila area is where we have the Kashimbila power plant and dam located. And there’s also an airport that has also just recently been commissioned there. And of course, there’s a university being built and other national infrastructure coming up around that axis.

“And of course, with this international border, you may also be aware that the community in Turan, in Kwande Local Government, also has a United Nations refugee camp, where the refugees from Cameroon who are running away from the Ambazonian fighters have been lodged for protection by the United Nations. So this thing has a lot of dimensions to it that if not checked, will become a major crisis point for our country.”

He stressed that the situation is a really dire one for the country and for the people of Benue State as a whole and not just for the constituency of Kwande, Ushongu but across Benue State.

He added, “So this meeting is to make an appeal to the federal government of Nigeria under our dear president, President Bola Tinubu who is doing very well in terms of stabilising the country in terms of reforms, policies and other areas of our national life.

“But the area of security unfortunately in Benue State, we need more support, we need more men on the ground, we need more boots on the ground and we need to incorporate technology so that we can curb the insecurity that has started in Benue years ago and seems to be getting to levels where if not checked on time, we’ll have a big problem on our hands.

“I believe that with the support of the state government and the federal government working together with the neighbouring and bordering communities and states to Benue State, we’ll find a lasting solution to this problem.

“But for me as a representative and as a policy expert looking at this issue from a different dimension, I believe that the solution to this crisis is economic development and economic prosperity for people. The solution to this problem is to open up the region to economic development, to industrial activities, to commercial activities.

“We need to open up the farmlands there. We need to protect those farmlands as an asset for Benue State. Our asset in Benue is our farm, it’s our farm produce.

“So we need to see our farmlands as assets, just like the Niger Delta people see the oil as their own asset. Our asset in Benue State is our agriculture. We are the food basket of Nigeria.

“So until we begin to treat the agricultural space, the farmlands and the open spaces that produce the food that we consume in Nigeria, Benue State produces, we are the number one producer of so many of the food crops that we eat in Nigeria. So our food, our land, our agriculture is our own asset and it’s our contribution to our country Nigeria.

“So it is until we see that our assets, our agriculture as an asset, and we protect it as a national asset and as a state asset, and we’ve deployed the required resources to protect this asset and expand this asset, industrialise this asset, we will continue to face this problem.”

• Removal in Order, – says Benue APC Elders Forum

A group within the All Progressive Congress known as the Benue APC Elders Forum, led by Senator Barnabas Gemade, has expressed support for the removal of Justice Maurice Ikpambese as the Chief Judge of Benue State.

The group also alleged serious misconduct against Justice Ikpambese, including the mismanagement of N666m.

Chief Gemade, the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, who led former Senator Joseph Akaagerger, General Lawrence Onoja, former Benue Speaker, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, amongst other APC chieftains in the state to address the press conference, stated: “After a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese’s removal, it is clear that the Benue State House of Assembly acted within the constitutional framework outlined in Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

“We further commend the State Assembly for promptly sanctioning their erring members who attempted to ridicule the serious business of the house when in one breath they voted along with their colleagues for the removal of the Chief Judge and in another breath stepped outside the house chambers and immediately addressed a press conference castigating the same decision they had just supported by a more than two-thirds majority vote.”

The group expressed unwavering confidence in the government of Benue State, saying “the administration has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of our citizens and enhance the overall fortunes of the state.”

“We call upon our governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia to remain steadfast and focused on his vision for development, urging all detractors to refrain from ill-motivated interference that could hinder our collective progress.”

“On the same pedestal, we passed a resounding vote of confidence in His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for maintaining faith with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

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Regarding the motion by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, the group stated: “The motion is not only misguided but also demonstrates his lack of understanding of the constitutional process.”

“The constitutional provision (sections 11(4)) which mandates the National Assembly to take over the functions of the State Assembly can only be activated when the State Assembly is unable to perform its functions by reasons of a situation prevailing in the state.”

“The very next, Section 11(5) explicitly defines the inability of the house to perform its functions as when the house is unable to hold a meeting and transact its business.”

“Benue State House of Assembly has one leadership, enjoys full quorum at all sittings, and has continuously been performing its functions.”

“There is therefore no merit in Senator Aba Moro’s invitation to meddlesomeness.”

Troops stationed in Abako town, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, in Benue State have clashed with secondary school students over a girl.

The incidents resulted in the burning of an army checkpoint in Abako town by the irate secondary school students, where soldiers also allegedly opened fire on the students, and some sustained injuries.

The Nation gathered from a teacher in the school, Peter Anande, that trouble started when a soldier who was a boyfriend to a female student, Veronica, bought earrings for her.

Abako town is in Katsina Ala Local Government Area, Sankera geo-political bloc, was where the late gang leader Terwase Akwaza, popularly called Gana, held sway for long.

Peter Anande told The Nation on the phone that a soldier bought earrings for his girlfriend, and she wore them to school, and was seized by the head girl of the school because such earrings were not allowed to be used in the school.

The girl, Vero, reported the seizure to the soldiers who were at the checkpoint.

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Anande said “While it was break time, the head girl proceeded to the main market to get breakfast, and at the checkpoint, she was harassed and assaulted by the soldiers for seizing the earring.

“A teacher who heard the incident rushed to the army checkpoint, he was also harassed and battered,” said Anande.

The news of harassment filtered into the school compound and the students mobilized and attacked soldiers at the checkpoint.

“The soldiers at the checkpoint fired at the students but they overpowered them and set the checkpoint ablaze and opened up the road, using the barricaded tyres and wood to make bone fire.”

There was tension in Katsina-Ala as residents who have been calling on soldiers to leave the area, expressed dismay on why troops who came for serious security situations would be romancing around with secondary school students.

They called for the withdrawal of the soldiers in Abako town.

Police Area Command in the area confirmed the situation and said normalcy had returned to the area.

At press time, the school said they would get a lawyer to petition the Chief Of Army Staff in Abuja.