NO fewer than eight people, including three policemen, were said to have been injured in a clash between youths in Asa community area of Otukpo town in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State over the location of a private university owned by the Senate President, Senator David Mark.

The youth were said to have converged on the Otukpo-Oju federal highway mid-week to protest what they described as unlawful acquisition of their land by the Senate President, while the policemen drafted to the area were said to have received stiff resistance from the youth.

Efforts by policemen to disperse the youth were rebuffed, which reportedly left eight people, including three policemen, injured.

Chairman Otukpo Local Government Area, Dr Innocent Onuh, who confirmed the report on phone, said that when the report of the blockage of the highway was received, he alerted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the town who swiftly swung to action to repel the youth.

He stated that the rampaging youths, on sighting the policemen, attacked them, saying three policemen were injured in the process.

He disclosed that the council, had at several times, met with elders in the community with the acquisition of portion of land for the establishment of the university owned by Senator David Mark.

Onuh said, “the Senate President approached us of his plan to establish a private university in this area and the portion of land needed extends to three communities: Apegede, Otobi and Asa. As the council, we contacted elders of the affected communities, who not only accepted, but were glad that such huge facility was coming to their areas”.

“So, as government we have to follow due process in acquiring the land. We have taken inventory of the affected portion of land and the affected people with the aim of compensating the owners; other things are ongoing. It is surprising to hear that youths in Asa were protesting”.

The media aide to the Senate President, Mr Adakole Elijah, who also confirmed the report, condemned the violent attitude of the youth and commended the prompt response and maturity displayed by the security operatives, adding that normalcy had returned to the area.

Efforts to get the state’s Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Daniel Ezeala, Deputy Superintendent of Police, was not successful as he did not pick his calls, but the Divisional Police Officer, DPO for Otukpo Local Government Area, Francis Obinwa, appealed for calm among youths in the community.

http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/news/item/11681-3-policemen-5-others-injured-over-proposed-david-mark-university

David Mark Univrsity
Sounds like a place for blockheads already