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Category: Benue Update

  • Benue State Shuts Down Lawmaker’s Business Over Fee Disputes

    Benue State Shuts Down Lawmaker’s Business Over Fee Disputes

    Benue State authorities have shut down a microfinance bank and a leisure park owned by a member of the House of Representatives, Asema Achado, due to unpaid registration fees. 

    On December 23, officials from the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) and the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, along with law enforcement, sealed off City Bay Park and Benysta Microfinance Bank in Makurdi.

    Despite an initial payment of N20,000 for registration and an additional N219,000 for default fees, the authorities demanded another N20,000 before unsealing the premises. 

    Please Read: 11 Reportedly Killed in Fresh Benue Attack

    After this was paid, a new enforcement team arrived, resealing both businesses and reportedly using excessive force, including tear gas, which caused distress among visitors.

    Achado criticized the actions, claiming the businesses were sealed without court authorization, and pointed out the undue harassment, especially towards vulnerable customers. 

    The BIRS stated that its role was limited to collecting revenue, and that the ministry had overseen the enforcement.

  • Rev. Father Alia of Benue State Unveils Zeva Premium Lager Beer

    Rev. Father Alia of Benue State Unveils Zeva Premium Lager Beer

    Benue State Governor, Reverend Fr. Hyacinth Alia on Sunday, in Makurdi, the state capital, unveiled Zeva Premium Lager Beer, his first industrial legacy project. Produced by the Food Basket Brewery, Governor Alia said that the initiative is aimed at promoting economic growth and development of the state.

    Speaking at the an unveiling and tasting ceremony at the IBB Square in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria, Reverend Father Alia enthused, “the production of Zeva Premium Lager Beer is a testament to the state’s determination to harness its resources and foster local economic growth.”

    “The brewery will also generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, from farming to production, marketing, and distribution,” Gov. Alia added.

    READ ALSO: Deaths and Blood Rituals for Bulaba Balablu Christmas

    The brewery project was sponsored by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC).

    The BIPC Managing Director and CEO, Raymond Asemakaha said Zeva Premium Lager Beer represents a symbol of innovation, resilience, and the indomitable Benue spirit, the Blue Print Newspaper reported.

    Mr. Asemakaha, elaborating further, said, “The beer is expected to contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the state, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs, improving GDP, and generating revenue for the government.

    “The launch of Zeva Premium Lager Beer is part of BIPC’s efforts to drive initiatives that will uplift the people of Benue, create wealth, and foster development.

    “The company has established the Food Basket Brewery, a state-of-the-art facility that will produce Zeva Premium Lager Beer, and other assorted brands,”

    The unveiling of this brewery makes it the second such attempt by the Benue State to venture into the production of beer.

    The first such attempt was during the second republic when late Gover Aper Aku commission the More Lager

  • Minimum Wage: Gov Alia approves N75k

    Minimum Wage: Gov Alia approves N75k

    The Benue State Government has approved a new minimum wage of ₦75,000, surpassing the ₦70,000 benchmark previously set by the Federal Government.

     This adjustment aims to address the financial concerns raised by workers in the state.  

    Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed this development after a meeting with labour leaders at the State Secretariat. 

    The wage increase will take effect from November 2024, alongside the payment of three months’ salary arrears, as allocated in the 2024 budget.  

    The decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to improve workers’ welfare, following discussions on issues such as wage awards, transportation allowances, and tax relief.

     The government has reiterated its commitment to easing the economic burden on public servants.  

    This move is expected to boost morale and provide much-needed financial relief for the state’s workforce.

  • Gov Alia suspends attorney general over EFCC legality suit 

    Gov Alia suspends attorney general over EFCC legality suit 

    Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday, suspended the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mynin.

    The commissioner was suspended for joining the suit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission without informing his principal.

    The Apex Court had on Tuesday reserved judgment on the suit filed by 19 states of the federation.

    However, three out of the nineteen states challenging the constitutionality of the laws that established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were reported to have withdrawn from the suit.

    The three states, according to the report are; Anambra (9th plaintiff), Adamawa (16th plaintiff), and Ebonyi (18th plaintiff) separately submitted applications for withdrawal before the Court.

    The Attorney General of Anambra State, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, informed the court that she wishes to withdraw from the suit, having filed a motion for withdrawal on October 20.

    Similarly, the Attorney General of Ebonyi State, Ikenna Nwidagu, stated, “My Lord, I filed a notice of withdrawal dated and filed on October 21. My Lords, we pray this honourable Court strikes out the name of the 18th plaintiff.”

    However, Alia, who was taken aback that the state joined other states to challenge the legality of the anti-corruption agency, was said to have ordered the suspension of the attorney general.

    Confirming the suspension to our correspondent, the governor’s spokesperson, Kula Tersoo, said, “It’s true, His Excellency today suspended the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order for joining the suit challenging the legality of EFCC without informing the governor.”

  • Governor Hyacinth Alia Conflates Ukum and Oju/Konshisha Crisis in Recent Interview

    Governor Hyacinth Alia Conflates Ukum and Oju/Konshisha Crisis in Recent Interview

     

    Governor Hyacinth Alia Mistakenly Conflates Ukum and Oju/Konshisha Crisis in Recent Intervie

     

    In a recent interview, Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia mistakenly interchanged the ongoing crisis in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) with the Bonta-Ukpute conflict, leading to widespread criticism from local leaders.

     

    This marks the first public comment from the Governor regarding the Ukum crisis, which has persisted since July 5, 2024.

     

    Local leaders expressed concern that the Governor’s remarks indicated a lack of accurate information.

     

    In a statement signed by Chief Mike Ube the Ukpute youth leader of Uju LGA, it was emphasized that there has been no “relative peace” between Bonta and Ukpute since hostilities escalated. Continuous attacks from Bonta militia have caused significant suffering and displacement in the Ukpute community.

     

    Furthermore, the leaders challenged the Governor’s assertion of a prompt response to the crisis, pointing out that no actions have been taken to protect the community from ongoing violence.

     

    They highlighted the efforts of Deputy Governor Sam Ode and former Deputy Governor Benson Abounu in delineating boundaries between the warring factions, stressing the importance of government records dating back to before Nigeria’s independence.

     

    In response to the Governor’s comments about the Awajir-Oju road being open for traffic, local representatives claimed that the road has been abandoned due to constant harassment by militia members.

     

    They reiterated the need for improved security and the establishment of an IDP camp for displaced persons.

     

    Local leaders are calling on the Governor to prioritize resolving the boundary disputes and to provide essential social amenities to affected communities.

     

    They urge representatives in both state and national assemblies to ensure the Governor receives accurate information regarding the Bonta-Ukpute crisis.

     

     

  • LG Elections in Benue state: Alia visits Tinubu

    LG Elections in Benue state: Alia visits Tinubu

    Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, says the forthcoming Local Government elections in the State will be transparent.

     

    Governor Alia said this when he briefed State House correspondents in Abuja after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.

     

    The Governor also noted that the relative peace in the State will be sustained before, during and after the Local Council polls.

     

    Fr. Alia explained that the State was prepared for any eventuality, following the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

     

    The Governor told State House correspondents that his administration will hire about 100 teachers to ensure quality education in Benue State.

     

  • Humanitarian Worker Killed In Benue

    Humanitarian Worker Killed In Benue

    An incident observers described as one more death too many has occurred as a humanitarian worker and Executive Director of Concerned Youth Development Initiative (CYDI), Chris Terfa, has been reportedly killed by yet-to-be identified gunmen near Logo 1 axis in Makurdi metropolis, Benue State.

    The deceased was said to have been gunned down Friday evening by the assailants who allegedly traced him to his office within the Logo 1 vicinity in Makurdi.
    Terfa’s killers also reportedly shot at the security man on duty while trying to gain access into the office premises.
    The assassins reportedly covered the deceased’s mouth with a pillow before shooting him.
    Witnesses said that Terfa was rushed to the hospital after the gunmen fled but was confirmed dead on arrival.
    His corpse was said to have been deposited at the morgue of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi.
    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, had yet to confirm the incident as her telephone line was not reachable.
    Lamenting the spate of killings in Benue state, Joseph Anawah, a community leader and former aid to Sen Gabriel Suswam, erstwhile Governor of Benue state said, “I lost more than 100 relations, very close to me, to Fulani herders. There was a time when they invaded my settlement at Chembe, out of the 43 people killed in just one night, 23 of them were my blood relatives.”
  • Commercial Bus Conveying Women, Children Abducted in Otukpo, Benue State

    Commercial Bus Conveying Women, Children Abducted in Otukpo, Benue State

    The growing incidence of violent attacks and kidnap of villagers in a manner akin to guerilla warfare continues unabated in Apa, Agatu and parts of Otukpo and Ohimini Local Government Areas of Benue state as armed men suspected to be cattle herders have waged a relentless war, killing them in their numbers and abducting women, children and unsuspecting victims on a daily basis.
    The armed criminals also lay siege on the highway to kidnap wayfarers for ransom in order to sustain their crime economy. A source disclosed to Nigerian Anchor this Wednesday, May 8th, that in furtherance of their criminal enterprise, armed men suspected to be Kidnappers, yesterday, at a lonely section between two villages named Omutele and Ankpechi in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state, intercepted a commercial transport mini-bus belonging to Benue Links Transport Service and conveying passengers from Abuja to Otukpo.
    As at press time, the exact number of passengers affected cannot be verified, but first responders claim that victims were mostly women, while the minor were abandoned. Sources say that the abandoned children had been handed over to men of the Nigerian Police Force.
    It was also disclosed that one of the young men from the two villages who were mobilized and currently on a hot chase for the adaptors was short while another retreated for his dear life. Meanwhile, a few others are reported to continue with the quest, combing bushes and forests in frantic search for the victims and their abductors.
    A concerned villager who commented on the incident expressed the opinion that, “There are police posts in the area. The locales must be part of this, and that’s the great challenge.”

  • Gunmen attack Ortom’s ex-aide, abduct wife, housemaid

    Gunmen attack Ortom’s ex-aide, abduct wife, housemaid

    Gunmen have abducted the wife, Mrs Abigail Orbunde and housemaid, Patience Ogute, of Terwase Orbunde, a former Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.

    Orbunde, alongside his wife and the housemaid, was said to have gone to inspect his farm located close to the Genocide Cemetery along Mobile Barracks-Welfare Quarters Road in Makurdi, the state capital on Friday, when they were attacked.

    The incident, according to a source who witnessed the attack, happened at about 6 pm on Friday.

    The eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised by the family to speak on the issue, said, “After the inspection of the work, five gunmen suddenly attacked the former Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor, his wife and housemaid who were on the farm along Mobile Barracks/Welfare Quarters in Makurdi.

    “This happened around 6 pm on Friday and the gunmen opened fire and the bullet hit Orbunde, while they ordered him and the women to follow them to an unknown destination.”

    The shooting was said to have caused villagers and passersby to scamper for safety in different directions.

    Another eyewitness who watched from a far distance said the gunmen marched the victims on a footpath but later abandoned Orbunde who was said to be bleeding profusely and unable to walk fast.

    “As they abandoned the man, the gunmen then whisked the women to an unknown destination while good Samaritans conveyed Orbunde to hospital,” the eyewitness said.

    Orbunde’s close ally and media consultant, Tahav Argezua, confirmed the attack on his Facebook page.

    The Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident.

  • Hoodlums Burn Down Residence Of Former Nigerian Governor

    Hoodlums Burn Down Residence Of Former Nigerian Governor

    Hoodlums wreaked havoc in the Gboko area of Benue State by setting ablaze the residence of Late Aper Aku, the former Governor of the state. 

    The incident, which occurred on Monday, saw the occupants safely evacuated before the assailants touched the building. 

    Deborah Aku, daughter of the late governor, revealed that the police rescued them from the premises before the attack escalated. 

    The ordeal traces back to March when a man wielding a cutlass threatened the household, alleging his goat died after drinking water from their premises. 

    Despite reporting the issue to the police and pursuing legal recourse, the family faced another assault on Monday morning. 

    Armed with weapons, over 30 individuals besieged the house, vandalizing property, and killing their dog before setting the house ablaze. 

    The police, while able to rescue the occupants, were outnumbered by the assailants. Investigations are underway, with authorities urged to address the escalating security concerns in the area. 

    The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, emphasizing the need for further investigation. 

    Mkeenem Moses, Senior Special Assistant to the Benue Governor, condemned the attack, calling for swift action to prevent future assaults in the region.