₦airaland Forum

Security operatives have arrested two men alleged to be members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State with Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs.

Both men identify as Christopher and Terseer Iordye were nabbed today with a total of 43 PVCs, Daily Trust reports.

They were caught with the PVCs at Gbajimgba Secondary School polling units in Benue state.

While Christopher was arrested with 6 cards, Terseer was nabbed with 37.

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2019/02/2019-election-two-apc-chieftains-arrested-with-pvcs-in-benue/

The Benue State Livestock Guards has impounded 105 cows and four sheep caught grazing openly near Akawe Torkula College of Advanced and Professional Studies, Makurdi.

Confirming the development, the commander of the Livestock Guards, Linus Zaki, disclosed that one herder, Kunje Saija, was also arrested in the course of the operation.

He explained that in accordance with the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, the impounded cows will be quarantined for seven days.

He added that the animals would be auctioned, if the owners fail to pay the fines stipulated by the law.

He cautioned herdsmen against the consequences of flouting the law, stressing the need for ranching of all forms of livestock in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Samuel Ortom, the state’s governor, recently restated the commitment of the government to fully implement the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.

The governor had also emphasised that anyone who violated the law would be prosecuted.

Source; https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/benue-govt-impounds-105-cows-over-open-grazing/

Herdsmen reportedly attacked Ukemberagya, Gaambe-Tiev community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State on the eve of Christmas Day leading to the death of one Ioewuese Myaga, a father of seven children.

A community leader in the area, Anawah Joseph, told news men that the whole community had been deserted.

Anawah said, “Some herdsmen on the eve of Christmas murdered Mr Iorwuese Myaga, a father of seven children, a resident of a settlement in Ukemberagya Gaambe-Tiev.

“He was murdered by Fulani herdsmen terrorists on his farm where he went to harvest corn.

“They ambushed and shot him at close range behind in the neck piercing his gullet through the stomach.

“His corpse was recovered on 25/12/18 and buried at his country home Tse Ikyem, Ukemberagya Gaamne-Tiev Logo LGA Benue state.

“As of today (Wednesday), the whole community is deserted we are all gathered at NKST Church.”

The community leader who said that the population of the community is about 300 (three hundred people) further said that the deceased was buried the following day which is Xmas.

“Until this gruesome murder, Mr Iowuese Myaga was a devout Christian of NKST denomination and an active member of the Tiv choir NKST Chembe consistory,” Anawah said.

Recall that communities in Logo and Guma local government areas of the state were severely attacked from the New Year day of 2018 till August this year.

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/herdsmen-sack-benue-community-kill-father-of-seven/

Benue State Governor, Mr Samuel Ortom, has urged the Federal Government to carefully study the report of the Amnesty International on herdsmen’s killings in the country and draw some lessons from it to improve on the security of lives and property.

Also, a socio-political and cultural group, Jukun Development Association of Nigeria, has described AI’s report, indicting the military as accomplice in the destruction of lives and property by some Fulani herdsmen, as a vindication of an earlier allegation by Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.).

The governor said the report should not be discarded in its entirety because there were a few lessons the military and indeed the nation could learn from it to make the country safer.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, in an interview, Ortom said although the military’s efforts should be appreciated, the AI should also be hailed for moving round to talk to the affected people before coming up with the report.

He stated, “The Amnesty International couldn’t have set out deliberately to embarrass Nigeria. It is their duty to do assessments of this nature to help countries of the world to develop and protect human rights. This is not their first report; they did reports when the previous government was in power.

“For us, we feel that the Federal Government should look at the Amnesty International report dispassionately and keep the areas that need to be improved upon and work on them. In the areas they disagree, they have the right of reply.

“However, the Federal Government and all of us in Nigeria can learn some lessons from the report of the Amnesty International on killings by herdsmen. The whole country has a lot to learn from the report.”

He added, “When somebody looks at your operations and tells you that although you have done well, you still have to look at these areas; then, you have to do a self- examination. Nobody can say that the report is entirely bad. It is incontrovertible that killings have taken place and are still taking place. It is also a known fact that these people were killed by some people; they didn’t commit suicide.”

The JDAN’s National President, Chief Benjamin Bako, while speaking with newsmen in Lagos, said the report was a welcome development.

He said Danjuma and JDAN had been vindicated and described the allegations of “collusion by the Nigeria Army and Fulani herdsmen in the wanton killings in the Middle Belt and parts of Igboland as accurate after all.

Bako stated, “As an elder statesman, Gen Danjuma’s intervention was to help the institution which has given him fame and prominence to rediscover itself, thereby purging itself of bad elements that are bent on destroying the good reputation and excellent tradition of the military institution. Rather, Gen Danjuma was called all manner of names and hunted like a commoner.”

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/learn-lessons-from-ais-report-on-killings-benue-gov-ortom-tells-fg/

Troops of the joint military Operation Whirl Stroke, at the early hours of Friday reportedly engaged suspected armed militant herdsmen in fierce gun battle in Anyiibe in Logo Local government area of Benue State.

It was gathered that the armed herdsmen had sneaked into the area from neighbouring Nasarawa state and set up a camp in the area preparatory to launching an attack on the community when the troops were alerted of their presence.

When contacted, Commander of the military operation, Maj. Gen. Adeyemi Yekini who confirmed the development said his personnel responded swiftly to a distress call from the area and after a gun duel dislodged the armed herdsmen.

Gen. Yekini said, “our troops conducted an overnight operation during which an open camp set up by some armed herdsmen along River Benue bank at Anyiibe was destroyed.

“Some of the armed elements that attempted to cross back into Nasarawa state got their boat capsized during the exchange of fire. It is therefore likely that the armed group might have suffered some casualties during the encounter.

“Our troops that participated in the operation did not sustain any casualty and no civilian was killed during the incident contrary to the rumours of purported civilian casualties,” he added.

The latest development is coming just when persons displaced as a result of the lingering crisis were being encouraged to vacate the various Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps and return to their ancestral homes.

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/military-engages-armed-herdsmen-in-gun-battle-in-benue/

source; https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/2019-election-ortom-tells-benue-electorate-to-vote-all-pdp-candidates/

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called on the electorate in the state to vote for all Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

He gave the charge on Friday at Tse-Kuegh Anyia, Mbagbera in Vandeikya Local Government Area of the state at the burial of late Pa Shaapera Anyia.

The Governor stated that the ruling party had failed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians hence the need to give a reformed PDP another chance.

He appealed to voters in the state to vote for all the candidates of the PDP without discrimination.

The Governor stated that the Presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who is a chieftaincy title holder in the state, would better protect the interest of the Tiv nation and Benue people in general.

He noted that the Benue North East Senatorial candidate and former Governor of the state, Dr Gabriel Suswam, was best equipped to represent the district having served well in the House of Representatives and also acquired more experience as the chief executive of the state.

Governor Ortom also appealed to the people of Kyan constituency to reelect the Speaker of the State Assembly, Mr. Titus Uba, stressing that he would support him to retain his position if he won a second term.

He stated that the House of Representatives Candidate of the PDP for Jechira, Mr. Benedict Kume is well known to the people, haven served as council chairman and should also be voted to represent them at the National Assembly.

The Governor described the late Anyia as a father to him, pointing out that he learnt how to repair bicycle under the deceased before he later moved to the motor park where he started life as a tout before growing through the ranks to become a driver.

He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the loss, noting however that the late Anyia died at a prime age and gave his life to Christ.

In separate funeral orations, Speaker of the State Assembly, Mr. Titus Uba, Ter Kunav, Chief Nyiyongu Achiaku and former PDP local government chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Anor, pledged their unflinching support for the Governor, and prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

Elder Dominic Kuegh who spoke on behalf of the family, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his support to the family over the years especially in their times of bereavement, stressing that his kind gesture would be reciprocated.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Benue State, Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the commission has reviewed the security architecture of the state to ensure safety of lives and property in the 2019 elections. Yilwatda made the remark at a recent public enlightenment campaign organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Makurdi. The REC explained that the spate of violence during the 2015 general elections in the state necessitated the review of security architecture to avoid a repeat of the deadly outing which led to the killing of some INEC officials and destruction of the commission’s property in some areas of the state.

“We have reviewed the security architecture of Benue State. Anybody that attempts to repeat in 2019 what happened in 2015 will be arrested,” he said.

He said there were pointers from primary elections held in the state few months ago, noting that gunshots were recorded in 11 out of 23 local government areas of the state while attacks were carried out in 16 of the LGAs between January and December, this year.

“These are pointers that we need restraint and a more peaceful community,” he added.

The returning Benue State Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) have urged the Federal Government to provide more security posts at the border communities to guarantee their safety.

The locals particularly complained of being afraid of their border areas with Nasarawa State along the bank of River Benue.

However, the Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Maj.-Gen. Adeyemi Yekini, who led his force on tour with journalists to some of the ravaged communities in Benue and Nasarawa states, stated that over 201,864 IDPs had returned to their ancestral homes in Benue communities and urged those still staying in camps to desist from unnecessary fears and go back to their ancestral homes.

He said over 35,000 of the IDPs in Nasarawa and Taraba states have equally returned to their homes with no intention to go back to IDP camps again.

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/returning-benue-idps-seek-more-security-posts-at-border-areas/

A group, Tiv Youth Organization, TYO, has alleged that a former governor of Benue State, George Akume, has given murderous herdsmen reasons to further attack the state.

TYO was reacting to a statement credited to the Benue senator that people of the state were the ones killing themselves and not herdsmen.

The group warned that Akume would be held accountable if any attack by herdsmen was recorded in the state.

In a statement signed by the President of the group, Timothy Hembaor, TYO stressed that Akume should publicly apologize to the people of the state.

The statement reads: “Yesterday, during the presentation of the Amnesty International’s report on herders and farmers crises in Nigeria titled “Harvest of Death”, the National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Engr Saleh Alhassan cited the statement of APC leader in Benue State, Senator George Akume as confirmation that the people of the state are the ones killing themselves and not Fulani herdsmen.

“Salleh stated thus, “Senator Akume has told the whole world that it was Governor Ortom that recruited those that are responsible for the killings in the Benue Valley”

“The Miyetti Allah spokesman made this mockery of a statement in the presence of Ambassadors of several European countries and diplomats from other parts of the world.

“We are deeply worried by this development because Senator Akume has given Miyetti Allah groups a reason to sponsor more gory attacks on innocent Benue communities. Now, the terrorists have an alibi to hide under and send their armed militia to spill more blood in Benue State, no thanks to the political and ill-motivated comments of Senator Akume.

“We are still shocked that the Senator is yet to publicly apologize to the state despite the wide condemnations that followed his shameful statement. Even if Akume was on drugs or the highest level of alcohol intake when he made that reckless and infamous statement, he must have returned to his normal senses now with more than two weeks already gone.

“Amnesty International reported that 3,641 lives have been lost to herdsmen attacks on farming communities and Benue is the worst hit suffering 726 deaths in three years, with 57% of the killings recorded in 2018. We must add that out of the 726 deaths, 70% of the lives lost are from Akume’s senatorial district.

“These are statistics that should ordinarily disturb the conscience even of a sadist. What does George Akume hope to achieve with the betrayal of his people? Does politics not have a place for humanity?

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/how-akume-has-given-killer-herdsmen-reasons-to-attack-benue-again-tiv-youth/

A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court on Monday remanded three farmers in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area of Benue for allegedly killing a 26-year-old man, David Tsenzughul.

The accused identified as Desmond Tyosongo, Terlumun Utor and John Liambee were charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

The Prosecutor, ASP Michael Iorundu, told the court that the brother of the deceased, Timothy Tsenzughul, had reported that the accused persons conspired and stabbed his 26-year-old younger brother to death.

Iorundu stated that the trio had applied anti-cutlass cut charm on the deceased and stabbed him with a knife on the chest to test the potency of the charm which failed, resulting in the deceased sustaining a serious injury.

He was rushed to the hospital where he died during treatment.

“The farmers were arrested during police investigation and the first accused confessed to stabbing the deceased to test the effectiveness of the anti-cutlass cut charm

“we also recovered the knife the suspect used was recovered from him,’’ he said.

When the case came up for mention however, the accused persons could not take pleas for lack of jurisdiction of the court over the matter.

The prosecutor informed the court that investigation into the matter was ongoing and asked for another date for mention.

He also stated that the offence was punishable under Sections 97 and 222 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

The Magistrate, Mrs Regina Ochokwunu, adjourned the matter to Jan 22, 2019 for further mention.

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/three-farmers-remanded-for-allegedly-killing-26-year-old-man-in-benue/

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has directed the State Ministry of Finance to ensure that payment of workers’ salaries for the month of December 2018, commencing from Wednesday.

Ortom said the directive was to enable the workers to celebrate Christmas, as he earlier promised them.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tever Akase, Ortom further directed officers in charge of “payment vouchers” to put in “extra effort, even if it means working all night, to see that workers receive their wages with effect from Wednesday this week.”

The Governor also cautioned that any officer who flouts the directive will be sanctioned, reaffirming his commitment to the monthly payment of salaries as he has done since the beginning of the year.

He reassured workers of the state that the arrears of their salaries will be paid as soon as his administration was able to access the required funds.

Ortom deeply appreciated the workers’ understanding and cooperation while wishing them Merry Christmas in advance.

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/benue-gov-ortom-orders-immediate-payment-of-december-salary-to-workers-gives-reasons/

The Governor of Benue State, Mr Samuel Ortom, has given instructions for the prosecution of contractors who abandoned work on some of the 740 primary school projects across the state.

Governor Ortom directed the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to furnish the relevant government agencies with information about the contractors so appropriate action can be taken.

He gave this directive while inspecting projects in the state capital, including St. Theresa’s Primary School, preparatory to the award of additional projects from the N6.6 Billion funds available for the next phase of interventions.

Meanwhile, the state government is also working on projects to address concerns of residents over the state of Federal roads across its three senatorial districts.

To address the challenge, the Benue State government accessed a N3.5 billion facility to rehabilitate the Wurukum axis of the Makurdi-Gboko Federal Highway down to the Air Force Base.

The Makurdi-Ankpa Road through Naka is not left out with repair works also ongoing, including the canalization of the low-density area to stop flooding.

Also, the governor inspected the Pever Agenga Road in Logo II, which is expected to provide relief for a huge student population and the host community to the Benue State University.

Source; https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/benue-gov-ortom-seeks-prosecution-of-contractors-for-abandoning-subeb-projects/

President General of Mdzough U Tiv, a socio-cultural association of Tiv people, Chief Edward Ujege, has declared that the military has chased away herdsmen from Benue land.

He stated this while inaugurating the new executive members of the association in Nasarawa State, noting that peace has finally returned to Benue State.

He was represented at the occasion by the Secretary General of the association, Dr Boniface Ukende. He advised the Tiv in the state to embrace peace and support the government of Nasarawa State.

He expressed happiness that President Muhammadu Buhari had restored peace to Benue State.

“He has set a powerful military team that has chased away the Fulani out of Benue State

“So, they are not disturbing us any longer, because they are no longer resident on Benue land and the people in IDPs are going back to farm. Although they have not fully returned home because their houses were destroyed, the Federal government promises to give them money to rebuild their homes; we are expecting the money,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the new president of the association in the state, Mr Benard Kyeghna, appealed to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to reopen all Tiv villages which were shutdown down for just no reason before he leaves office in 2019.

“I pray that the state governor will also create chiefdoms for the Tiv people and reactivate the already existing villages which have been closed down for just no reason before he hands over to his successor.

“I wish to draw the attention of the public to the bare fact that Mzough U Tiv is a socio-cultural group which is devoid of political affiliation. We intend to strengthen a symbiotic relationship between the Tiv people and other ethnic groups in the state.”

Kyeghna also said that the group would serve as a strong agent that could help the government of the state in preaching peace among the Tiv people.

The pioneer officials of the Tiv nation’s socio-cultural group in Nasarawa State who were inaugurated by the President General of the group worldwide, Mr. Edward Ujege on the occasion included Bernard Kyeghna; President; Peter Akosu, Secretary and Peter Ahemba, youth leader, among others.

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/buhari-has-chased-away-herdsmen-from-benue-land-tiv-group-declares/

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says time has come for the standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to become president of Nigeria.He made the declaration yesterday at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi when the North Central Women Unite for Atiku, led by its President, Mrs. Dorcas Din, visited him.

The governor noted that when God permits, nobody objects, stressing that it is time for Atiku to lead Nigeria, as all things were working towards his success. Ortom, who is the North Central Coordinator of Atiku/Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, said the PDP candidate has the capacity to provide purposeful leadership for Nigerians.

The governor said it was hypocritical and deceitful for the APC-led Federal Government to demonise opposition members by sending anti-graft agencies after them, only for the same people to become “saints” when they join the APC.Mrs. Din said the women had fared badly in the past three years under the APC administration at the federal level, and would not want to remain like that for the next four years.

Also, the chairman of the PDP in Edo State, Dan Orbih, has described the ticket of Abubakar Atiku/Peter Obi as having the capacity to bring succor to Nigerians.He called on the National Assembly to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to assent to the Electoral Amendment Act, to save the country from drifting.

In a related development, the presidential candidate of Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP), Apostle Sunday Chikendu Chukwu Ezuzolugo, has vowed to remove security vote from the system, if elected president.He made the declaration yesterday in Abuja, while taking the twelve pillars oath of righteousness and integrity.

Ezuzolugo also invoked vengeance of the blood of innocent souls who have been shared in the land to execute judgment against him, if he violates his campaign promises.“I shall stand for justice for all tribes and ethnic nationalities in our nation Nigeria, and also stand for zonal rotation of the position of the president and governors on the basis of one tenure, he said.

Nigerian Army has rowed out 11 Sapper-Generals from service at a colourful ceremony held at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Speaking at the rowing out ceremony yesterday, Chief of Army Standard and Evaluation, Maj.-Gen. Adekunle Shodunke, who represented Chief of Army Staff at the event, said the ceremony was a sign of respect for the Generals who have retired honourably from the Nigerian Army after putting in many years of service to the nation.

He commended the retired officers for laying the foundation, which he said, would be built upon by their successors.

According to him, the rowing out ceremony is a way army corps engineers honour their own for the sacrifice and meritorious service rendered to the country.

He urged the retiring officers to consider the army as their real constituency, and continue to render advice that will promote professionalism.

Maj.-Gen. Sadauna J. Davis, who spoke on behalf of the retiring officers, said the training from the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, discipline and dedication have made most of them to excel in the profession.

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/army-rows-out-11-sapper-generals-in-benue-state/

Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has been reassured of the overwhelming support of Benue people to his victory in the 2019 general elections.

Governor Samuel Ortom gave assurance Tuesday at Benue Peoples House Makurdi during a courtesy call on him by the North Central Women Unite for Atiku, led by its President, Dorcas Din.

Ortom declared that time has come for Atiku to become President of Nigeria, noting that when God permits, nobody objects, as it is time for Atiku to lead Nigeria, as all things were working towards his success.

He stated that the Presidential Candidate of the PDP has the capacity to provide purposeful leadership for Nigerians as well as dethrone economic sabotage and imminent collapse of institutions under the present administration.

The Governor noted that it was hypocritical and deceitful for the APC-led federal government to demonize opposition members by sending antigraft agencies after them, only for the same people to become “saints” whenever they join the APC.

Ortom who is the North Central Cordinator of Atiku/Obi Presidential Campaign Organization, tasked the women on prayers and works that would ensure the victory of PDP in all elections next year.

While acknowledging the commitment of the women to the Atiku project, he said their powerful delegation was an indication that the North Central is poised to ensure massive votes for PDP in the coming elections.

He assured the women of the support of his administration to ensure resounding victory for Atiku, himself and other PDP candidates stating that when women are empowered, a nation benefits.

Earlier, National President of the North Central Women Unite for Atiku, Dorcas Din said the women had fared badly in the past three years under the APC administration at the federal level and would not want to remain like that for the next four years, emphasizing that they were all out to help ‘change the change’ by mobilising the women folk to vote out the APC government.

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/2019-election-atiku-reassured-of-benue-overwhelming-support/

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has urged his supporters to ensure peaceful campaigns for the 2019 elections in the state.

He spoke while addressing thousands of the supporters who stormed the gate of Benue Peoples House, Makurdi to welcome him on his return from pilgrimage to Israel.

Governor Ortom stated that as those who currently possess the people’s mandate, they should handle it with care and not allow political opponents distract them.

He further noted that he had sought and obtained God’s blessings while in the Holy land, stressing that he was spiritually prepared to approach the elections with focus on victory.

He stated that God who worked through the people to make him Governor in 2015 would ensure his reelection in 2019, stressing that there was no cause for alarm.

Governor Ortom charged his supporters to remain calm and be peaceful in mobilizing support for him and other Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates for various elective positions, pointing out that they should not react even in the face of provocation.

According to him, those working to destabilize the state using federal might would end up destabilizing themselves, noting that he and the masses of Benue were the federal might in the state and would not be intimidated.

He quoted the scripture which stated that a man can receive nothing except it is given to him from above, adding that God was the ultimate giver of power.

Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Mr. Bernard Unenge, Special Adviser to the Governor on Politics, Mr. Saawuan Tarnongo, state PDP Youth Leader, Mr. Patrick Modom as well as PDP Chairmen for Makurdi and Guma, led the supporters to welcome the Governor.

Source: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/12/2019-benue-gov-ortom-returns-from-israel-tells-supporters-to-ensure-peaceful-campaigns/