Benue govt expresses joy over arrest of Rev. Fr Adeyi’s killers

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has commended the police in ensuring the arrest of a gang of four who kidnapped and murdered Vicar-General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese and parish priest of St. Bernards parish, Okpoga, Rev. Fr Dr. John Adeyi.

The governor said this following the parade of the four suspects who have already confessed to the crime at the Force
Headquarters in Abuja.

The governor, however, noted that he would only be happy after the four face the full wrath of the law.

Represented by his deputy and chairman of the state’s Amnesty Programme, Benson Abounu, the governor condemned the dastardly act and wondered “why any sane human being could so heartlessly kill a gentleman as kind-hearted as Fr. Adeyi who ran a home for widows, among many other humanitarian activities he was involved in.”

He commended the police in arresting the killers and warned criminals in the state to take heed as the long arm of the law would catch up with them.

Ortom also stressed that with the needed synergy between government, police and other security agencies in the country, there will be no hiding places for criminals.

On the wanted gang leader, Terwase Akwaza, also known as Ghana, the governor called on him to hand himself over to the police and noted that if he had no hands in the killing of this special assistant on Security, Denen Igbana, then, he should come in to clear himself.

The governor disclosed that because the state government has now started using the stick approach in its fight against crime, the rate of criminality in the state has dropped in the past two months.

Benue’s N107bn: Court freezes suspects’ bank accounts

 

The Benue State Attorney general and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Mike Gusa, on Thursday said that an  Abuja Chief Magistrate  Court had ordered immediate freezing of the bank accounts of 12 former Benue officials recently arrested by EFCC in conjunction with Nigeria police.

Gusa, who spoke with our correspondent, said those whose accounts were frozen include the former Benue State Commissioner of Finance, Omadachi Oklobia; former Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Solomon Wombo; former Permanent Secretary in the Bureau, Asen Sambe; the accountant of the bureau, Isaiah Ipevnor; and 12 others indicted by the Kpojime Commission of Inquiry for allegedly looting over N107bn belonging to state government.

Gusa said the court gave the order while ruling on an exparte motion brought before it by Police detectives who are investigating the matter.

According to Gusa, ”Since these people were arrested and investigation is still going on, the Police decided to obtain order from court to put every transaction around their accounts on hold, pending when investigation would be completed”.

The commissioner said the order has been served on all affected banks and was optimistic that Benue State Government would follow due process in the recovery of the alleged looted funds.

The Attorney General disclosed that, so far, over N250m have been recovered from the suspects, saying the state government in collaboration with anti graft agencies is making efforts to recover the remaining money.

Benue places N5m bounty on wanted killer

The Benue State Security Council on Wednesday promised a reward of N5m for anyone who could provide useful information on the whereabouts of Terwase Akwaza, alias Ghana, who had been declared wanted in connection with various crimes in the state.

The acting Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Bem Meladu, made this known while briefing journalists at the end of the state security council meeting, presided over by Governor Samuel Ortom at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi.

Melladu said, the council took the decision after reappraising the efforts made so far by security agencies to apprehend Akwaza and his gang members.

He said that Akwaza was a beneficiary of the state amnesty programme and had been declared wanted by the police for his alleged involvement in kidnappings, armed robberies and assassinations.

According to him, Akwaza, also known as Ghana, is being hunted for his alleged involvement in the killing of the governor’s security aide, Mr. Denen Igbana, and rustling of over 7,000 cattle in the state.

Melladu said, “I want to passionately appeal to the people of Benue State and beyond to volunteer information that will lead to the arrest of the notorious criminal. I still advise people not to give him and his gang members cover.”

I’ll apply force to ensure security in Benue -Ortom

The Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, on Thursday said his administration was committed to applying the “stick approach” to end insecurity in the state.

He said the approach was coming on the heels of the “carrot approach” earlier applied at the inception of his government.

Ortom spoke with State House correspondents shortly after meeting Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

There have been reports of security challenges, especially violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers lately from the state.

The governor said he was at the State House to brief the Presidency of efforts being made to tackle the situation.

He said the briefing was also important so that the Federal Government would be aware of the efforts being made with a view to ensuring co-operation between the two arms of government.

The governor recalled that at the inception of his administration, he introduced an amnesty programme which was designed as a carrot and stick approach to ending insecurity.

He said while the first approach succeeded to some level with some people surrendering their arms, many others have since returned to their old ways because they are not sincere.

This, he said, now necessitated the use of force.

The governor said, “The carrot approach succeeded to some extent with may people surrendering arms. But some went back to their old ways because they are not sincere.

“We have now adopted the stick approach. All security agencies in the state must restore safety to the state.

“The state must be secured from robbers, kidnappers and assassins. We need to get rid of criminals from our society.

“We also intend to encourage investors and they will not come if the state is not secured.”