Update: Governor Ortom suspends traditional chief, youth groups over gruesome murder

[Edoman]

Update: Governor Ortom suspends traditional chief, youth groups over gruesome murder of widow







Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has ordered the suspension of a traditional chief, Ortar Agwa Mnyange Kwahar in Buruku Local Government Area of the state, all youth groups and their activities, over the gruesome murder of a widow.
 
LIB reported that Mrs Becky Shaade Aondozungwe Nyihemba, was burnt alive in her home by suspected thugs in Mbagen community, Buruku Local Govt Area on March 5, 2021.
 
The widow, a nurse by profession, had a week earlier raised the alarm about threat to her life by unknown persons for reasons she did not mention. Read more HERE
 

 
The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Ngunan Adingi, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, March 27, said that the suspension of the chief followed the crisis in Mbatyough Council Ward, Mbagen in the council area which led to the death of the widow. 
 
The statement read,
 
"As a result of the recent crisis in Mbatyough Council Ward, Mbagen in Buruku Local Area of Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom, after a meeting with the Tor Jemgbagh, HRH Chief Afatyo Ajoko, Ter Buruku HRH Moses Hanior, Mue Ter HRH Tivfa Addingi, the kindred heads in the wards and elders from the area at the Benue people House yesterday, 26th March, 2021, took the following measures to end the skirmishes.
 
1. Governor Ortom condemned the gruesome manner that a widow, Mrs Shaade Nyihemba was murdered by unknown criminals and ordered that full investigation be carried out by the Police and DSS to find out those behind the dastardly act for prosecution.
 
2. The Governor directed that Zaki Ortar Agwa Mnyange Kwahar be suspended according to Section 30 of the Benue State Chieftaincy Law, to pave way for investigation into his role in the crisis at Mbatyough, Mbagen Council Ward.
 
3. All youth groups in Yemakem were banned with immediate effect. All activities of Yamakem youth association were also suspended indefinitely.
 
4. The Governor said police personnel at the donated police station in Diwa, Mbatyough Council Ward would be withdrawn immediately and the police station shut down until proper documentation is completed.
 
5. Governor Ortom warned against floating of parallel Vigilante groups in the council wards and emphasized that anyone found hosting such groups would be sanctioned.
 
6. The Governor cautioned Benue Livestock Guards to restrict their operations within the mandate of the outfit which is primarily about preventing open grazing and rustling of animals. He warned that any member of the Livestock Guards found operating outside the stipulated mandate would be expelled from the organization.
 
7. Traditional rulers were told to promote peace and security meetings in their domains to settle communal disputes.
 
8. Governor Ortom encouraged Benue people, particularly youths to shun acts inimical to peace and support the government to guarantee the safety of lives and property while providing development to the state.
 

[Edoman]

Benue widow allegedly shot and burnt alive at home by thugs







A widow identified as Mrs Aondozungwe, was reportedly burnt alive in her home by suspected thugs in Mbagen community, Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.
 
Benue activist, Ukan Kurugh, who confirmed the incident on Monday March 8, alleged the deceased, a nurse with Buruku LGA, was said to have been killed few days ago by thugs loyal to a powerful retired army general. 
 
He called on the Benue State Government and State Commissioner of Police to fish out the perpetrators.
 
Read Ukan Kurugh's report below; 
 

THE PEOPLE OF MBAGEN IN BURUKU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE ARE LIVING IN FEAR
 
The death of Mrs Aondozungwe is one that might not see or get justice at the end if the Governor Dr. Samuel Ortom does not wade into it because too many powerful actors have been mentioned including a Retired Military Officer who has been terrorising the village with his boys, DPO of Buruku LG, DSS, The Traditional Rulers and the immediate past Commissioner of Police Benue Command.
 
 
A family member has told me that, petitions were written by the late woman while alive but each time she goes to find out further about it, she would rather be detained because of the connect the retired military man has with the DPO of Buruku and the then commissioner of police.
 
The woman was shot and burnt alive in her humble abode by boys suspected to be loyal to the retired general and all these are because of business interest in the village that done by her late husband's siblings and the said widow was not even interested in it save for her late husband's step brothers who were locked up, beaten and abandoned at the state CID.
 
She went there to seek for their bail and that was the beginning of her issue with the retired general who sought to know who the hell she was and vowed to deal with her for bailing people he locked up.
 
I am using this opportunity to call on my Governor, to please use his good office to call this said man to order because the village has been deserted for fear of more lives that might be lost as this issue lingers on without solution. I WILL WRITE AGAIN IN TWO DAYS. 

[Edoman]

"My shield has been taken away" - Grieving daughter of widow allegedly burnt alive by suspected thugs in Benue renounces her community







Winifred Sedoo Aondozungwe, the daughter of the widow who was reportedlly killed in Benue, has "renounced" her community. 
 
LIB reported that Mrs Aondozungwe, a nurse, was reportedly burnt alive in her home by suspected thugs in Mbagen community, Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.
 

 
In one of her posts, Winifred, who has been mourning her mother on Facebook since Saturday, March 6, wrote "I renounce Mbagen!!!" 

"My Angel, oh God. you died alone screaming, you died without a word to your kids, now I can’t even bury you. Mummy I am so sorry for the pains you went through. Were you born to suffer? Your husband died when you just 29yrs, you refused to remarry for our sake. I told you to live long like your mother, oh God. God you allowed this!!!" she wrote. 

 

 
Winifred also disclosed that her mother was preparing for the traditional wedding of her lastorn before the tragic incident.

"God give me the strength to be there for your last baby. I don’t know how to console her, you were pregnant with her when daddy died, therefore never met him.
"You prayed and waited for us to get married. This month is her traditional marriage, who is supposed to give her out? Who will collect the bride price ? Who will buy her her things, I know you would have bought every kitchen item for her. You loved us too much, that’s why u stay in that village to honor your husband,"
"I renounce MBAGEN"