Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has directed security agencies 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 of nefarious activities.
The Governor gave the directives when he received briefing on the attack on Terwase Orbunde who was Chief of Staff to former Governor, Samuel Ortom, and the subsequent abduction of his wife and housemaid by gunmen.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, the Governor condemned in strong terms the unfortunate incident, saying, “I am shocked and dismayed by this barbaric act.”
“I have said this, and I must keep saying it. Security should, and must be everyone’s concern. The law enforcement agencies and the government need information. Make it a culture that anytime you see something, you say something. “
He pointed out that while insecurity has become a global issue and is not perculiar to Benue State alone, he will continue working round the clock to secure every life and property in the state.
He assured all residents that security is a top priority in his administration, and that matters of insecurity will soon be a thing of the past.
The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has also condemned the attack on his former Chief of Staff, Terwase Orbunde and the abduction of his wife and housemaid by gunmen.
In statement by his media aide, Terver Akase, the former Governor described the attack as shocking and unfortunate, and urged the assailants to free the abducted victims unconditionally.
The former Governor equally appealed to security agencies to ensure that Orbunde’s wife and the domestic staff regain their freedom unhurt.
Ortom who earlier visited Orbunde in hospital where he is receiving treatment, prayed for the speedy healing of the former Chief of Staff’s injured arm as a result of a gunshot, and also prayed for the general safety of the family.
Similarly the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC have condemned the armed attack on the former Chief of Staff and members of his family by gunmen.
For the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, the worrisome incident further highlights the worsening state of insecurity in the state, as it is now tragically obvious that no one is safe anywhere in Benue State, including in Makurdi, the capital city.
The party 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.
PDP prays for the safe return of Abigail Orbunde and the maid, Patience Ogute, and urged the Governor to spare no effort towards securing their freedom in hale and sound condition.
Orbunde, who served as the Chief of Staff to Governor Samuel Ortom from 2015 to 2022 is reported to have been attacked by gunmen in the evening hours of Friday at the Welfare Quarters Extension area of Makurdi where he along with his wife, Abigail Orbunde and cook went to inspect work on their farm.
And the APC in its condemnation of the attack on one of its chieftains, Terwase Orbunde at his farm while his wife and housemaid were whisked to an unknown destination says the party sees it as a frightening situation, coming at a time when there is a rising wave of terror attacks across the state.
APC State Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun says “the party’s apprehension is reinforced because of this security compromise and lapses which underpin the necessity to quickly rejig the state’s security apparatus”.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
