…PDP urges Governor to be decisive
…Kidnappers demans N100m
Benue state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Sunday, directed security agencies in the state to ensure criminal elements disrupting the peace of the state are fished out and brought to justice.
He said that he is ready and willing to continue to provide the necessary support needed by the security agencies to ensure the state is cleaned from nefarious activities.
The Governor gave the directives when he received a briefing concerning the attack on Mr. Terwase Orbunde, former Chief of Staff to former Governor Samuel Ortom, and the subsequent abduction of his wife and housemaid by unknown gunmen.
He condemned in strong terms the unfortunate incident, describing it as a shocking and barbaric act.
A statement by his chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula the governor said security should, and must be everyone’s concern, saying law enforcement agencies and the government need information and should make it a culture that anytime one sees something, you say something.
He pointed out that while insecurity has become a global issue and is not peculiar to Benue alone, he will continue working round the clock to secure every life and property in the state.
He assured all Benue residents that security is a top priority in his administration, and that matters of insecurity will soon be a thing of the past.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has condemned the armed attack on Pastor Terwase Orbunde and members of his family by suspected Fulani herdsmen yesterday in Makurdi.
Pastor Orbunde, who served as the Chief of Staff to Governor Samuel Ortom from 2015 to 2022 is reported to have been attacked by the assailants in the evening hours at the Welfare Quarters Extension area of Makurdi where he and his wife, Mrs. Abigail Orbunde, went to inspect work on their farm.
The suspected herdsmen said to be about 5 in number and armed with automatic weapons reportedly shot the former Chief of Staff in the arm before abducting Mrs. Orbunde and their maid, Ms. Patience Ogute, to an unknown destination.
Pastor Orbunde is said to have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment, and reports indicate that the abductors this morning spoke with him by phone demanding the sum of N100 million as ransom for Mrs. Orbunde and Ms. Ogute, which they threatened that if not paid, will result in the death of the victims.
The PDP however, condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, lamenting that it further highlights the worsening state of insecurity in the state, as it is now tragically obvious that no one is safe anywhere in Benue, including in Makurdi the state capital city.
The party in a statement by the state publicity secretary, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to deploy the security vote at his disposal and the right level of political will to tackle the menace of insecurity in the state which is arrow-headed by Fulani herdsmen and bandits.
He said the governor should provide desperately needed logistical support to security agencies in the state to strengthen their hand towards enforcing the ban on open grazing being flagrantly violated by armed herdsmen and also curb the activities of bandits.
The PDP prayed for the safe return of Mrs. Abigail Orbunde and the maid, Ms. Patience Ogute, while urging Governor Alia to spare no effort towards securing their freedom in hale and sound condition.
