The Next Edition

Tag: Katsina-Ala

  • Gana Boys Threaten Reprisal as OPWS Kill Four Gang Members in Benue

    Gana Boys Threaten Reprisal as OPWS Kill Four Gang Members in Benue

    Bandits suspected to be loyal to the late Benue militia gang leader, Terwase Akwaza aka Gana, have threatened to unleash terror on community members in Katsina Ala local government area of Benue State.

    The threat came barely 24 hours after troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, killed four of their gang members at Tse Geja area of Katsina Ala.

    Competent military source who does not want to be named also confirmed that the troops destroyed the camp of the bandits located around Vingir in Katsina Ala and recovered their charm and ammunition.

    The source explained that the bandits engaged the troops of OPWS in gun battle but later ran away when they were over powered due to superior firearms.

    Speaking to journalists on the phone, on Wednesday, the military source said, “Yesterday (Tuesday) our troop stationed in Gbise under Katsina-Ala were doing their normal clearance tour until they came across bandits at Tse – Gena. There was exchange of fire but our troops overpowered them.

    “So, the armed bandits fled into the bush in disarray but our troops gave them a hot pursuit and four bandits were neutralised. A search was conducted in their general area and troops burnt down their camp.

    “We were able to recover following items belonging to the bandits; 9 rounds of 7.6mm special, one barrel of Dane gun, two motorcycles, handsets, bags of Indian hemp and the sum of N57,390 and large assorted charms. The remnants are on the run but we are on top of our game.”

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    Confirming the incident, Chairman of Katsina Ala local government area, Alfred Atera said that four bandits were killed by security operatives who carried out operation on the area.

    According to Atera, “Yes, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke carried out operation at Tse Geja where the camp of the bandits was located and four of the bandits were killed.

    “The camp was destroyed and charms were packed. Terna Gide is threatening to take reprisal. As of this morning, he called and issued lots of threats that he is going to do more than what was destroyed in his camp. He called one of the volunteer guards number to issue the threat.”

    Our correspondent learnt that the people of the area which is known as Vingir are living in palpable fear of attack.

    A native from the area said that some residents of the area have began to flee for fear of reprisal from the bandits.

    The native recalled two attacks that the bandits unleashed on the same area late February and early March this year leading to death of 10 mourners and another five respectively.

    “Those attacks on February 26 and March 2nd this year where 10 people were killed at a burial and another five few days after were, according to the bandits, reprisal to the killings of three of their men by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke,” the local said.

  • Gunmen Invade Benue, Kill Seven, Injure Catholic Priest, Others

    Gunmen Invade Benue, Kill Seven, Injure Catholic Priest, Others

    Unknown gunmen have attacked Tor Donga in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue state killing seven persons and injuring several others.

    The Chairman of Katsina Ala LG, Mr. Alfred Atera, who confirmed this to journalists on phone, said the incident happened last Thursday, between 5-5:30pm.

    He said the bandits attacked a priest, killed a passenger in his vehicle, and some members of the newly established community volunteer guards and others.

    Atera told journalists on phone that “Bandits came to Tor Donga yesterday evening and killed seven persons.

    “They killed Community Volunteer Guards members, injured two of them, then killed some other persons too on their way as they shot sporadically.

    “Five injured persons are in the hospital including a Reverend father from Mbatseer who was going to Tor Donga.

    “They met him, shot at him and killed the person in the car with him,” he said.

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    The Chairman noted that the bandits are remnant of Azonto army, a militia gang leader. He was sure of that because the volunteer guard members told him they saw one Sonter a member of Azonto group, driving the car in which the gunmen came in.

    He said all the security agencies; the police, Operation Whirl Stroke, (OPWS), and the security adviser, have been informed saying, “We are on top of it, doing our best to ensure that we get them. Something that we have never experienced for a long time now coming up, the resident are afraid. We are making sure that we assure they are safe.”

    As at the time of writing this report, seven persons were dead while five others were receiving treatment in the hospital.

    Also a military source who didn’t want to be named confirmed that unknown gunmen in a moving vehicle, on Thursday at about 4:40 pm at Tor Donga in Katsina-Ala LGA, forced themselves through the vigilante check point along Katsina-Ala/Tor Donga road.

    It was gathered that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), who were alerted about the sad development rushed to the area and gave the bandits a hot chase but couldn’t find them.

    “They, however, recovered seven dead bodies and three wounded persons who are currently responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital,” the source said.

    Reacting to the incident, state Governor Samuel Ortom described it as unfortunate saying his government will make sure all criminal elements are tracked and flushed from the state.

    “I assure you, we are going after them. We are not going to let them go free. Just like Gana, Azonto and many others, by the grace of God, they are going to be apprehended.

    “I will not surrender my state to criminals. We will go after them. If they want to be good citizens of Benue, they should repent.

    “But I believe that the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards when trained and fully equiped, will compliment the security agencies and some of these disturbances will end,” the government said.

     

  • 17 People Killed in Renewed Hostilities in Benue Communities

    17 People Killed in Renewed Hostilities in Benue Communities

    Not fewer than 17 people have been killed in different communities of Agatu and Katsina Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State.

    The Next Edition gathered that 15 people were allegedly killed in Kastina-Ala by armed invaders while two others were killed in Agatu in a cult-related attack.

    A resident of Katsina Ala who doesn’t want to be named, disclosed that the town has enjoyed relative peace recently and expressed sadness at the events that happened in the last three days.

    He, however, told journalists on the phone that there are deserted interior rural farming communities where the remaining inhabitants were still being killed.

    According to him, while people are being killed in those communities, some people are being kidnapped while women are raped on daily basis.

    “Let no one lie, the killing is still ongoing in the rural areas most especially in Mbatyula, Mbayongo and Yooyo council ward of Kastina-Ala local government area.

    “Not less than seven people in Mbatyula council ward were killed on Tuesday while Emmanuel Apever’s wife from Kenvanger was abducted and taken to an unknown destination.

    “In Tse Ate, three persons were killed and another two persons also killed at Saawua compound while three were reportedly killed in Tse Asaa. All in Mbagbeentya community of Mbatyula council ward,” the source said.

    When contacted, Information Officer of the Kastina-Ala LGA, Tertsea Benga, confirmed the development saying some armed invaders were still killing the villagers despite the success recorded so far by security operatives in the area.

    Our correspondent had also gathered that there was a disagreement on Tuesday between Aila and Abugbe communities of Agatu.

    Chairman of Agatu LGA, Suleiman Adoyi, in a telephone chat, denied any fresh hostility among the people, but said, “we are on top of the situation.”

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    Meanwhile, the Secretary of Agatu LGA, Sunday Oteyi, stated that two persons who went fishing in Aila, a rural community in Agatu, were hacked to death by unidentified persons.

    He said the bodies of the deceased have been recovered by the police and deposited in an hospital mortuary.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Benue State Command, DSP Catherine Anene, said she was yet to get information. She promised to find out if there were such reports from the areas.

  • Benue Police Repel Attack On Station, Kill 14 Bandits During Gun Duel

    Benue Police Repel Attack On Station, Kill 14 Bandits During Gun Duel

    The police in Benue State have repelled attack by bandits on a police station in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue state Command, DSP Catherine Anene, who disclosed this one Sunday said the police also killed 14 armed bandits during exchange of gunfire.

    In a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi, Anene said.

    “On the 19th of June, 2021, five bandits were arrested and detained at Kastina-Ala Police Division for investigation and prosecution.

    “On 20th of June, 2021, at about 0130hrs more than 50 other gang members of the detainees mobilized and invaded the police station to rescue their counterparts.”

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    She said officers at the division who were already at alert engaged them in a gun duel and were able to subdue the bandits.

    Anene said 14 of them were brought down during the exchange of fire while several others escaped with gunshot injuries.

    She noted that operatives in the area are currently on the trail of suspects at large.

    The PPRO explained that there have been series of operations going on in Kastina-Ala LGA geared towards a total clamp down on the activities of bandits in the area.

    The command has, therefore, advised the people of Kastina-Ala town to remain calm and avail every useful information about the bandits to the police.

  • Killer Herdsmen Overrun 4 Benue Council Wards, Kill Over 100 People

    Killer Herdsmen Overrun 4 Benue Council Wards, Kill Over 100 People

    Over 100 persons, most especially, women and children, have been killed by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in four council wards of Katsina Ala local government area of Benue State.
    The Chairman of Katsina Ala, Mr. Alfred Atera who confirmed the killings while speaking with journalists on phone said the incident took place between last Saturday and Sunday, just as he said more killings are ongoing as at the time of writing this report on Monday.
    Atera told journalists that “four council wards are under attack by the Fulani and they are Yooyo, Utange, Mbatura/Mberev and Mbayongo.
    He said as he was speaking, people are trooping out in large number as the herdsmen are shooting sporadically, killing and dropping dead bodies along the way.
    “I have videos of how people are trooping out because of fulani and how they are shooting sporadically.
    “More than 100 people have been killed at different places. They are killing and dropping as they are moving.
    In a manner that suggests that the military are overwhelmed by the attacks, Atera said “I told the military that the attackers have developed a strategy and they are not attacking one place. If they attack in Kwaghondo now, the next thing you hear they are in Yooyo and the same time they are attacking Utange, so the military are going here and there.
    “Before they could go there, the attackers have finished and gone to another point, that is the situation in Katsina Ala.
    “The authorities are aware of all these things, as I am speaking to you, my traditional rulers are here to see what we can do in their own level.”
    The Chairman who dismissed any military connivance in the attacks said “but I’m suspecting bandits, the existing bandits. I think they are trying to get cheap popularity. They are conniving to do that so that we could consider them which we have refused to do. It is better to die by Fulani than allow our boys to kill us.
    “The remnant of Gana boys have connived with herdsmen to cause havoc and unrest in our area”, Atera added.
    Meanwhile, a resident of Katsina Ala LGA, Edward Kwaghondo told journalists that unknown gunmen have been raiding their communities for the past two months.
    “It has been raids and burning of farmers residents and killing of farmers by unknown gunmen.These attacks have forced some of the indigenous people to evacuate their families to get shelter in places safer.
    On May 22, 2021, Fulani herders attacked Kwaghaondo village in Utyondo Ward Mbayongo District Katsina Ala LGA of Benue state and butchered 13 people; women and children included.
    Kwaghondo who also lamented that some of their relatives are still missing said “the whole ward has been sacked; houses, agricultural products, belongings, farmlands have been left to the mercy of the herders.”
    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene, said she was yet to get the report.
    “I have not received that report from Katsina Ala yet. But if I eventually receive it, I will let you know,” Anene said on phone.
    The Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke in the state, Brig. Gen. Clement Apere said the narrative given was wrong and asked our correspondent to call the Katsina Ala council chairman.
    When informed of earlier conversation with the council chairman, General Akpere only said, “just call him now, I just spoke with the chairman, the narratives are not true.”
  • Police Uncover Another Mass Grave In Benue, Arrest Two Suspects (pictures)

    Police Uncover Another Mass Grave In Benue, Arrest Two Suspects (pictures)

    Police Operatives in Benue State have uncovered another set of mass grave in Katsina- Ala local government area of Benue state.

    The graves were discovered after the police personnel arrested two notorious suspects, Aondoaseer Terseer alias Bob Tsetse and Orkashima David alias Cash – money who led them to the graves where they buried their victims, including their wives.

    The suspects were arrested in Osun State after they both fled following the killings, kidnapping and armed robbery activities carried out in mbamon, Tavachan, Michiche Council ward of Katsina – Ala LGA of Benue in less than three years.

    The two suspects both members of a-ten man criminal syndicate took the policemen round the shallow graves, both in dry and abandoned wells where they kept their dead victims to conceal their heinous acts.

    Among the six dead decomposing bodies uncovered so far were three males and three females, in which two of the females were their own wives killed in January and April of 2021.

    The bodies of decomposing victims recovered from the dry wells are John Nyitamen, madam Catherine Akiishi and Aondoverb Fidelix, with another and two of the suspects wives found in a shallow graves.

    Both suspects confessed to have killed their wives, one of them alias Bob Tsetse, said his wife died following misunderstanding between them after a wood he threw at her pieced her neck mistakenly.

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    The other suspect, alias “cash money” revealed that his wife’s death was instigated by his father after he alleged that his wife was trying to burn his house by calling security agents.

    According to him, through the help of his two other gang members they killed her and buried her in a shallow grave.

    CSP Gberindyer who confirm the arrest of one of the accomplices, stated that effort is ongoing to arrest the other and suspect’s father who allegedly instigated the crime.

    The suspects further gave six names of their gang members as Umangu Ihuman, alias Aka, Agwe, alias Banga, Aondover Ihom, alias D’ver, Luper and Yaryon alias Snake saying however that four of them had been killed.

    The suspects also claimed to be working for “Azonto” a militia leader and late Gana’s second in command responsible for several kidnappings, killings of innocent people and security agents in Sankera axis.

    The Deputy Chairman of Katsina – Ala local government, Mr. Agba Thomas, who witnessed the graves said justice will now be served for the two notorious criminal elements who have made life unbearable and farming activities impossible to the people of the axis.

    Agba said their arrest will bring succour to the families who have long searched for the remains of their loved ones.

    When contacted, State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident saying the two suspects are in their custody and will be prosecuted according to law pending outcome of investigation.

    Anene said the State Commissioner of Police, Audu Madaki had vowed that all criminal elements who poses threat to lives and property will be fished out and prosecuted.

     

     

  • Benue NUJ Chairman, Victoria Asher, For Burial On Friday

    Benue NUJ Chairman, Victoria Asher, For Burial On Friday

    The remains of the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, Late Victoria Asher, will be laid to rest on Friday, February 12, 2021.

    The Central Planning Committee for the burial made the announcement after a slight change in the burial programme.

    A press statement issued by the state Secretary, Moses Akarhan, shows that on Thursday, February 11, 2021, her body will leave Federal Medical Centre (FMC),  Makurdi, mortuary at 12noon for a valedictory session at the NUJ House, Makurdi.

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    The statement said that at 2:00pm, there will be funeral service at the House of Jubilee, Makurdi, after which her remains will be taken to her family residence, No. 8, Terngu Apedzan Close; Nyon Layout, Judges quarters extension, Makurdi for lying in State and Service of Songs.

    “On Friday, February 12, 2021, the remains of Victoria Asher will leave Makurdi by 7:00am for Tse-Maave in Tongov, Ugber, along Amaafu-Ugba road, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State for burial on the same day.

    The council urged all Journalists in the state to participate in all the burial activities.

  • 3 Killed As Troops Arrest Two Suspected ‘Gana Boys’ In Benue

    3 Killed As Troops Arrest Two Suspected ‘Gana Boys’ In Benue

    Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested two gunmen suspected to be loyal to the late Benue’s militia warlord, Terwase Akwaza a.k.a Gana.

    The suspects were arrested after the troops raided their hideout following an attack on some persons in Dyom village near Senga community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.

    A source from the area, who did not want to be named, told journalists that the armed militia who have been reportedly terrorising the Sankera axis had continued their trade several months after the death of their leader.

    It was, however, gathered that two of the armed bandits were arrested by men of the OPWS, who swiftly stormed the scene before the attackers could leave the scene.

    The OPWS troops were also said to have recovered weapons including one AK47, ammunition and one locally made riffle from the armed bandits who reportedly dressed in military camouflage.

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    Addressing journalists on the attack on Sunday, Security Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (rtd), said the timely intervention of the OPWS troops averted what would have been a major bloodbath in the community.

    He said the bandits had suddenly stormed the village and started shooting sporadically while also burning down houses.

    “These were armed men in military camouflage said to be loyalists of the late Gana. They stormed the area, shot and killed three persons and also burnt down houses in the community.

    “Luckily, while this was going on, information reached personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) who stormed the area and apprehended two of the armed men and also recovered their weapons which included live ammunition and an AK47 riffle including a locally made gun,” he said.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene said she had not received details of the incident yet.

    The Next Edition recalls that the State Security Council had banned the use of motorcycles in Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs, after which they also imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the area, last week, to check the increasing cases of banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery as well as general insecurity.
     

  • Insecurity: Benue Security Council Imposes Dusk To Dawn Curfew In Katsina Ala, Ukum

    Insecurity: Benue Security Council Imposes Dusk To Dawn Curfew In Katsina Ala, Ukum

    Benue State Security Council has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in  Katsina-Ala and Ukum Local Government Areas of the state as part of efforts to curtail acts of banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery, among other sundry crimes in the area.

    The State Deputy Governor, Mr. Benson Abounu, disclosed this on Wednesday, while briefing journalists at the end of the security council meeting, in Government House, Makurdi.

    Abounu said the curfew is in force beginning from Wednesday, January 13, 2021, running from 8p.m to 6a.m daily.

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    The Next Edition reported that Governor Samuel Ortom had said the State Security Council would meet this week to review the situation in Katsina-Ala and Ukum, after some motorcycles were impounded and burnt following the ban on use of motorcycles in the area.

    The deputy Governor also disclosed that the council sustained the ban on the use of motorcycles of all kinds in the area pending further review of the security situation.

    The Deputy Governor, however, stated that movement of patients and pregnant women among other very necessary cases for medical attention using motorcycles where there is no vehicular presence would be allowed after thorough investigation.

    He said council observed that motorcycle operators had migrated from areas affected by the ban to neighbouring rural communities where they are causing mayhem and urged security agents to intensify surveillance in those areas.

    Abounu said the decision to ban the use of motorcycles in Sankera followed heinous attacks on residences in Ukum and Katsina-Ala which resulted to the death of many, stressing that the ban had proven 100 per cent successful.

    He, however, confirmed cases of burning of some motorcycles in Sankera by security personnel, adding that the action was halted immediately it was brought to the attention of leadership of Operation Whirl Stroke.

  • Ban On Motorcycles: OPWS Handovers 78 Bikes To Benue Govt.

    Ban On Motorcycles: OPWS Handovers 78 Bikes To Benue Govt.

    The Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, (OPWS), Major General Adeyemi Yekini has handed over 78 seized motorcycles to Benue state government.

    Security Adviser to the state government, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (rtd) who received the bikes on behalf of state government said the 78 motorcycles are part of those arrested from Sankera after state security council banned their use in that axis.

    The handover was coming barely one week after controversy trailed the burning of motorcycles seize from users in Katsina-Ala and Ukum by the army.

    Hemba observed that in most parts of the country; Benue inclusive, motorcycles are major vehicle for crime and instability.

    He said bandits, criminals, kidnappers and all sorts of criminals use them for their nefarious activities because they are easy to manipulate even where vehicles cannot go.

    He noted that numerous crimes by bandits which culminated in the attack on the Chairman of Katsina Ala among others were carried out using motorcycles, a situation which informed the decision of the security council.

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    According to him, some of the impounded motorcycles belong to bandits while some also belong to other people who flouted the order.

    He said arrests are being made and the OPWS and other security agencies will continue to work together and will leave no stone unturned to arrest the culprits.

    “Arrests are being made and it is a continuous process. Day and night, we are combing their hideouts and that is why we have some respite recently.

    “A few isolated cases are being taken care of and no matter the blackmail, we will not stop pursuing them. The blackmail is intended to discourage the security agencies but we will not stop,” Hemba said.

  • Ban On Okada: Benue Security Council To Review Operations In Katsina Ala, Ukum

    Ban On Okada: Benue Security Council To Review Operations In Katsina Ala, Ukum

    Governor Samuel Ortom has stated that the Benue State Security Council will meet next week to review the security situation in Katsina-Ala and Ukum, following the ban on motorcycles in the area.

    The Governor stated this after his attention was drawn to reports of the destruction of impounded motorcycles in Ukum and Katsina-Ala earlier in the week.

    Recall that the state government had banned the use of motorcycle in the two local governments to curtain the worsening security situation within the Sankara axis.

    It was, however, reported that those who flouted the orders had their motorcycles confiscated and set ablaze by men of the Nigeria army, an act that have rather ignored another bout of controversy.

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    Governor Ortom has, therefore, assured that the Security Council will review the ongoing operation in the affected areas.

    He reaffirmed the resolve of his administration to sustain the support given to security agencies for the protection of lives and property in all parts of the State.