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Hoodlums Set Ex-Benue Governor’s House Ablaze -Police
The Police Command in Benue says a group of hoodlums on Monday, set ablaze the Gboko residence of ex Benue governor, late Aper Aku.
Sewuese Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide’s source, in Makurdi, yesterday.
Anene, who declined further comments on the incident, however, said that investigations were ongoing to unravel those behind the crime.
The source reports that Aku served as governor of Benue between 1979 and 1984.
But Miss Deborah Aku, daughter of ex governor, told The Tide source that police personnel rescued six of them from the building shortly before the hoodlums allegedly set the house on fire.
Deborah explained that the entire house, including properties worth millions, were burnt down.
She said trouble began last month when one man came to the house with a cutlass and threatened to deal with them if any of his goats died again.
According to her, the man claimed that he was told that his goat died after drinking water from the Akus’ residence.
“My mum was not around, when she returned, we informed her of what happened and she reported the matter to the police. When the police first came, he resisted arrest, but was later arrested few days after.
“When he was arrested, his father mobilised his people, numbering over 50 to our house, accusing us of kidnapping his son.
“While they were in our house, they destroyed somethings. When the police arrived, they arrested his father and later the matter was charged to court.
She said the judge who granted them bail on April 2, adjourned the case to July 1, and directed that settle out of court.
“They promised bringing their lawyer for the settlement meeting only for us to be attacked again,” she said.
According to her, the house was attacked between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Monday, adding that all the six occupants were trapped inside the house.
“Over 30 of them besieged out home. When we noticed that their visit was not friendly, we locked all the doors and called the police.
“Before the police arrived , they started destroying the house, killed our dog, broke into the pig pen and took all the pigs. They also destroyed our mother’s car.
“The police arrived and were able to rescue us. We left with the police with only what we were putting on. While we were on our way with the police, they set the house ablaze with everything inside.
“The police came in two trucks but the boys were many and even attacked them too.
“On Monday when the incident occured, the police were only able to rescue us from the house before it was burnt down. If not for them, we would have probably being burnt inside the house. We were six inside the house.
“We are waiting for the police to carryout their investigations. We have also reported the matter to all relevant authorities, including the governor and Speaker of the Benue House of Assembly, because this is his constituency,” Deborah said .
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
