The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), has condemned the recent burring alive of 70-year old, Ihwakar Kumekor Dam, in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.

NSCC had received a report that some youths in Mbatue Council Ward of Konshisha local Government Area of Benue buried alive a 70-year old man, Ihwakar Kumekor Dam alleging he invoked thunder and lightning that killed his son, daughter-in-law and a grand-child.

Director General of NSCC, Dr Emem Omokaro, describes it as an abominable act and height of Human Right Violation that must be confronted and the culprits made to face the full weight of the law.

The agency however commended the Nigeria Police Force for apprehending the suspects as well as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP) for steps taken to bring culprits to book.

The NSCC DG assured Older Persons and Nigerians that the centre will stop at nothing to defend the rights of Older Persons as well as Improve their quality of life and well wellbeing within its mandate.

She revealed that the Centre Anti Elder Abuse Community Response Mechanism is working in partnership with the National Human Rights Commission, the Legal Aids Council of Nigeria and NAPTIP to stem abuse and violence against Older Persons and provide access to justice.

NSCC urged the public to utilize the following NAPTIP toll-free lines to report cases of abuse or violence against older persons in Nigeria; 07030000203, 080-CALLNAPTIP and for MTN 627 and *627#

A 300-level student of Benue State University (BSU), Erekaa Naomi Dooshima, has been found dead few days after she was declared missing.

On Tuesday, Ukan Kurugh, the Benue activist, raised the alarm over the whereabouts of the student.

In a post on his verified Facebook page, Kurugh said her identity card, phone, and blood-stained clothes were found in Markudi, the state capital.

“Missing person: A girl by name Erekaa Naomi Dooshima with her Facebook user name “Affection Erikz” is missing, her clothes stained with blood, her phone, identity card were found around Rahama clinic opposite medical school Makurdi. She is a 300-level mass communication student at the Benue State University,” he wrote.

“If anybody has any useful information about her, please contact the nearest police station or the university authority for immediate action.”

In a follow-up post, the activist said the student had been found dead.

Kurugh said the lady’s corpse was found in a fenced land in Markudi and was exhumed by police operatives.

“The corpse of this young lady by name Erekaa Naomi Dooshima I made a post about her missing yesterday has been found in a fenced land behind Bolek Filling State after medical school and is currently been exhumed by men of the Nigeria Police Force Makurdi Benue state,” he added.

The state police spokesperson, Sewuese Anene confirmed the development.

Anene, however, said there is an ongoing investigation to get more details on the incident.

“Yes, we recovered a lady’s corpse yesterday (Wednesday). But I don’t have much details about her at the moment,” she said.

Source: platformsafrica

The Benue State Security Council has restricted the operations of commercial motorcycles, also known as Okada in the state.

Henceforth, commercial motorcycle operators would only be allowed to operate from 6am to 8pm everyday until further notice.

The security council took the decision at its emergency held on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Governor Ortom stated however that the earlier outright ban on the use of motorcycles in the Sankera geopolitical zone comprising Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum still subsists.

He said the decision followed the recent security alarm raised by the Nasarawa State government and what is happening in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and other parts of the country.

The Governor emphasized that the decision to restrict the activities of commercial motorcycles was aimed at nipping in the bud the resurgence of criminal elements suspected to be moving into the state.

The Governor stated that security agencies in the state have been mandated to enforce the new regulations, saying stiff penalties such as arrest and prosecution awaits anyone found flouting the order.

The security council also resolved that all heavy-duty vehicles coming into the state, with covered tarpaulins would be searched at designated checkpoints along routes in and out of the state with the contents thoroughly checked before being allowed to pass.

He also disclosed that the 500 personnel of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, which will be formally launched on Thursday, August 4th, 2022 to complement conventional security agencies in the state have been trained and kitted with an additional five hundred expected to begin training next week.

The Governor who said the Community Volunteer Guards would work with the traditional rulers and other security agencies in fighting crime expressed optimism that being members of the communities, it would be easier for them to fish out criminals.

Governor Ortom noted that the Security Council also approved a committee headed by the SSG, Professor Tony Ijohor to work towards regulating the activities of miners, which he said have been causing environmental hazards.

Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Lands and Solid Minerals, Hon. Bernard Unenge, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Micheal Gusah and Adviser on Mining, Andrew Kputu as well as the chairmen and second class chiefs of Gboko, Kwande, Ogbadibo and Logo as members.

Nathaniel Ikyur
Chief Press Secretary,
August 3rd, 2022