CRIME
Ortom Raises the Alarm Over Miyetti Allah Plot to Distabilise Benue
From Vincent Nyiyongu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom has accused the Fulani socio-cultural groups, Miyetti Allah of a sinister plot to distabilise his state in furtherance of its opposition to the open grazing prohibition law in operation.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Terver Akase in a statement said the Fulani Herdsmen groups had laid comprehensive plans for a smear campaign in the media and also sponsor violent protests in Makurdi, the state capital with intention to create confusion and disorder.
“It has become necessary to alert Benue people and other Nigerians about a plan being orchestrated by Miyetti Allah groups in collaboration with some opposition elements in the state to sponsor protests and a sustained media campaign against Governor Samuel Ortom.
“The conspirators have already contacted editors of some notable media organizations in Abuja and Lagos whose role is to ensure that articles, reports and all manner of media contents are churned out ceaselessly against the Ortom administration,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the Miyetti Allah groups were “riled by the Governor’s dogged stand against open grazing of animals in the state, his call for the declaration of armed herdsmen as terrorists and his administration’s opposition to Fulani Vigilante.”
It claimed that the Miyetti Allah groups were working in cahoots with some members of the opposition in the state, to ” initiate the anti-Ortom campaign” and sustain it between now and the end of 2022.
“The planned media publications are targeted at painting the present administration in the state as failure, a lie that is to be forced on Benue people in the next two and a half years. The coordinated smear campaign has already begun as seen in a section of the media.
“On the other hand, the sponsored protests by some youth groups are intended to create chaos, tension and fear among the populace and possibly trigger violent clashes capable of leading to loss of lives. It is obvious that the herdsmen are not tired of bloodletting in Benue State
“For Governor Ortom who had previously come under series of threats even to his life from armed herdsmen and their conspirators, the latest plot by these enemies of Benue State is not an unfamiliar terrain.
“It is the same desperation those who have sworn to make Benue ungovernable displayed before and during the 2019 elections that is beginning to rear its head again.
“Governor Ortom will not be intimidated or distracted by the antics of armed Fulani herdsmen and their sponsors. No amount of falsehood in the media or any other platform can change the Governor’s commitment to selfless service to Benue people.
“Miyetti Allah and their conspirators are hereby told for the umpteenth time, that Benue State will NOT repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to pave way for Fulani herdsmen to take over the people’s ancestral lands for cattle grazing.
“The Law has not only come to stay; it is fully being enforced. The Ranching Law has been well accepted by the people of Benue State and no intimidation or arm-twisting tactics from the named groups can change it, ” the statement said.
Governor Ortom urged security forces to check the activities of Miyetti Allah groups, who the statement said had sworn on several occasions to foist violence on the state and bring their members to justice.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.
A Student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Modupe Ayandare, was found dead on Monday after attending a church vigil.
The death of Ayandare, who is of the Department of Agronomy, was made known by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution.
“We express in strong terms our dissatisfaction and agony with respect to the death of one of our students, Miss Modupe Ayandare of the Department of Agronomy.
“According to report, the deceased was said to have committed suicide in the early hours of today at about 4:00am after she returned from a vigil in her church.
“The incident happened beside the church she attended, around Spotless Villa.
“The law enforcement agency has been informed already, and all hands are on deck to get to the root of the situation.
“Be assured that justice will be served and the law enforcement agency will undertake thorough investigation,” Mr Emmanuel Olaogbebikan, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the SUG, stated.
He asked anybody with useful information regarding the incident to give to the concerned authorities to come forward.
Also mourning the death of the student, the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), AAUA Chapter, said the loss deeply affected the department.
Faith Igba, the PRO of the department, said the demise of Ayandare was a profound loss to the department.
Igba urged the members of the department to come together and be of help to one another, asking those going through challenges to seek help.
“During this difficult time, we urge everyone to come together in support of each other. The mental well-being of our members is of utmost importance, and we encourage anyone who may be struggling to seek help.
“Our faculty offers counselling services, and we are here to support you in any way we can.
“Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to Comrade Modupe’s family, friends and colleagues.
“Let us honour her memory by fostering a compassionate and supportive environment for all,” he said.
Speaking on the death of Ayandare, Victor Akinpelumi, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, said that the institution had confirmed the incident but was yet to know the cause of the death.
Akinpelumi, who sympathised with the family of the deceased, said that the institution would make an official statement known to the public as regards the death later.
FCT Court Urges Renovation of its Complex Burnt During EndSARS Protest
Share The FCT Customary Court, Dutse, Abuja has appealed to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to facilitate the renovation of...
Group Cautions NASS Against Tax Reforms Bill
Share The Northern Youths Assembly has cautioned the National Assembly against passing the Tax Reforms Bill from the executive before...
Ondo poll: Court Declines to Disqualify Edema as NNPP Candidate
ShareAn Ondo High Court in Akure on Thursday set aside the suit challenging the candidature of Mr Olugbenga Edema as...
Woman Bags 3 Years Imprisonment for N5.8m Visa Fraud
ShareA Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday sentenced a 40-year-old woman, Danielle Justin, to three years imprisonment for alleged N5.8m...
Millions of Children Experience Daily Domestic Violence in Schools, Homes Globally – WHO
Share Hundreds of millions of children and adolescents around the world face daily violence in their homes, schools, and elsewhere...
DHQ Confirms Emergence of new Terrorists’ Group in N/W
ShareThe Defence Headquarters has confirmed the emergence of a new terrorists’ group known as ‘Lukarawas’ exacerbating insecurity in the North...
Navy Arrests 3 Suspects with Stolen Crude Oil in A’Ibom
ShareThe Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka has arrested three suspected oil thieves carrying a boat containing crude oil...
50% of Maternal Deaths are from 174 LGAs in Nigeria – Pate
Share By Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister for Health & Social Welfare, on Wednesday, revealed...
Tinubu Gives Wike Marching Order to Develop, Grow Arts, Tourism Hubs in Abuja
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Wednesday said President Bola Tinubu has...
Stakeholders Call for More Women Inclusion in Politics in Nigeria
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja Stakeholders on Wednesday have identified that for Nigeria to achieve 35% Affirmative Action, it was imperative...