Youths attack Benue governor’s convoy

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia

Some aggrieved youths have attacked the convoy of Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, in Ugondu in the Makurdi Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the youths pelted the governor’s convoy with stones and other objects when he visited Vaatia College in the community to assess the level of arrangement for the burial of the school’s proprietor, Michael Vaatia, on Wednesday, November 15.

Vaatia who died a couple of days ago is to be buried on Thursday, November 16, within the school premises, a development that sparked off a protest by the youths that he will not be buried there over alleged claims of being a settler.

The deceased hails from Vandeikya Local Government Area where Governor Alia also comes from.

It was learnt that the angry youths had, on Tuesday night, allegedly invaded the school and desecrated the grave.

During the governor’s visit, the youths were chanting war songs when Alia was addressing leaders of the community in the school premises.

It was gathered that the youths disrupted the proceedings as security escorts attempted to prevent them from accessing the school, while some of the governor’s entourage were trapped outside.

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The youths were also said to have allegedly fired gunshots into the air to scare people but were overpowered with the arrival of the police special unit, code-named Operation Zenda, who arrested some of the youths.

However, Governor Alia, while addressing leaders of the community, warned against acts that seek to create acrimony and disunity in the state.

Alia said: “I want to believe that the traditional and community leaders are not aware of what has happened.

“Surely, some youths arrested will make confessions and if they mention your names, be ready to go and answer.”

He added that about a week ago, an Igbo man and one other person who died were buried in Makurdi without protest from any youth group and called for calm.

The governor, who later addressed students on the College campus, assured them of safety during and after the burial of their proprietor.

Alia also directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to ensure that peace prevailed during the wake-keep on Thursday.

The Star