MiddleBelt Herald News

04/08/2022

11/05/2022

INHUMANITY IN NORTHERN NIGERIA: 5 Years Old Girl Kidnapped and Killed by Two Adult Male in Bauchi

From Zaklin Cholough Zaher

Kabiru Abdullahi, 52, and his friend, Yawale, 45, have been arrested by the Bauchi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Kabiru connived with his friend and kidnapped his neighbour’s five-year-old daughter in front of her father's house and took her to a bridge where they strangled and put her remains in a sack.

Report has it that Kabiru buried the remains of the kid in his kitchen before they contacted the girl's father, a businessman with the demanded for 1Million Naira (N1,000,000) as ransom.

Negotiations ended at N150,000 and the agreed sum was delivered to Kabiru's friend, Alhaji Yawale, under a Tamarind tree, in the bush at Narabi, Toro LGA.

A team of investigators went and dug the sack from the ground and took the body to the General Hospital, Toro LGA.

The kidnapped girl was certified dead by the medical doctor.

The sum of N42,000; fake $200 notes; charms; two MTN SIM cards; different car keys and phone numbers were recovered from them.

The suspects are currently in police custody as paperwork is being processed for them to be charged to court, according to reports.

19/03/2022

UK-based Nigerian Lawyer in S*x Scandal Allegations

From Maria Ude Nwachi

A Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal panel has fined a United Kingdom-based Nigerian lawyer, Victor Nwosu, almost £45,000 for making erotic remarks at a female interview candidate.

The 48-year-old Nwosu, said to head of a law firm, was quoted as telling the 22-year-old female candidate ‘mmm, I like what I see’ during the interview.

The victim told Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal that Nwosu informed her that “I only employ beautiful women” and asked whether she had a boyfriend, according to Metro UK report

The candidate, who has a first-class degree and a masters, had applied to be a paralegal but was left sobbing after the traumatic interview.

According to her, Nwosu undressed me with his eyes and I felt like a piece of meat.

“He said I was very, very beautiful. He told me that I have to wear skirts when I come into work, he doesn’t like it when women wear trousers,” she said while narrating the incident to her friends.

The woman, however, rejected his offer of a job at DCK Solicitors in north London and reported him to prevent other women from being in a ‘similar position’.

She told the tribunal: ‘The interview was quite traumatic for me, it was the first paralegal role that I had ever applied for.

‘I felt so violated as he was in a position of power as I was in an interview… I went home and cried.

‘I felt that I could not go into the profession, I built up my hopes of what it would be like and it was crushing. I was not going to make a complaint as I thought he was in a position of power and no one would believe me.

‘I was so horrified by how he behaved I felt I would be trading in my dignity to work there.’

Nwosu, who denied all the allegations, said he was happily married and called the case ‘female activism gone wrong’.

He added: “She has the power, that’s why I am here [because] she’s applied overt activism [and] I am the victim.

“She’s embarrassed me and brought me here, she has the power.”

This report brings to mind the understanding that indeed cultural differential is strong variable in social interaction between people and must be so respected by all irrespective of their social status in the society. Nwosu may be married but should the allegations be founded on empirical evidence, he will be made to face the full consequences of his alleged actions.

Middlebelt Herald prays for equity and justice to prevail in the case.

14/02/2022

Breaking News: Fire engulf Gungul Market in Konshisha

Fire outbreak reportedly hit Gungul Market in Konshisha local government area of Benue State.

The sad even is said to have befallen the local market today, Monday 14th February, 2022 when farmers, traders and middlemen have converged for economic activities.

Visit www.middlebeltheraldnews.com.ng for details.

07/01/2022

BREAKING NEWS: Priest Burst Trafficking Syndicate in Makurdi

By Simon Hambe

A Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi working as pastor of the St. Augustine's Catholic Church Demekpe, Rev. Fr. Solomon Ukeyima has bursted trafficking syndicate on Friday, January 7th 2022 in the Benue State capital.

The priest shared pictures of the truckload of the traffickers and some victims of what seems to be a long standing trade targeting young females from population of internal displaced persons (female IDPs) who are allegedly taken to distant locations for suspected reasons of commercial s*x working.

Middlebelt Herald News is making efforts to contact the priest who is renowned for his passion for the welfare of displaced persons and those in destitution.
We shall bring you more details on the story as soon as our team gets the attention of Fr. Ukeyima.

Visit www.middlebeltheraldnews.com.ng for more news and for advertisement, contact us at [email protected] or [email protected].

29/12/2021

09/12/2021

HISTORIC: Benue Born NPF Officer Emerge First Police SAN

By Simon Hambe

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Simon Asamber Lough has put Benue State in the epoch of history with his emergence as the first Officer of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to attain the apex of legal practice in Nigeria which has merited him the prestigious rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The Officer received the honors during the swearing-in at the State House, Abuja on Wednesday by the Chief Justice of Nigeria following recommendations and approval by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC). Hundreds of his family and friends converged to witness the hallowed ceremony of the investiture.

This feat is deserving of congratulations, first to the institution of policing in Nigeria and also to Benue State, the MiddleBelt Region and Nigeria.

Born in 1969, the 52 years old who hails from Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State is currently the Head of Chambers, Legal Section of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Assistant Commissioner of Police, at the Louis Edet House, Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in the FCT.

A statement by the the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba extolled the excellent scorecard of the Police Prosecutor, ACP Lough noting that the Officer had made outstanding contributions to the development of law in the country.

The statement by the Police revealed that, "ACP Simon Lough, a Police prosecutor par excellence, was appointed as a cadet officer (ASP) into the service of the Nigeria Police Force in the year 2000. 21 years down the line in Public Service, ACP Lough has served in various departments of the Force- including the legal section and held national positions on implementing legal policies for the country.

"Notable amongst his contributions and achievements is his record of securing over one hundred convictions of cases of armed robbery, murder, r**e, financial crimes, amongst others. He also successfully defended several high-profile cases and got 33 judgements at the Court of Appeal and seven at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. These achievements have earned him several commendations and awards within and outside Nigeria. With his investiture to the rank of SAN, he is the first serving member of the NPF and any other uniform agency in Nigeria to attain the feat in the legal profession,’ he said.

The Inspector-General Police, Usman Alkali Baba in congratulating the officer maintained that the achievement deserving of the exemplary hard work, dedication, tenacity which are values upheld by ACP Lough in the discharge of duty and goes to affirm the age-long maxim that ‘hard work truly pays’.

The IGP further charged the Officer to consider the accomplishment as a platform that should propel him towards fulfilling other lofty goals and more professional services to the NPF and the nation.

Middlebelt Herald congratulates ACP Lough S. A, SAN on the Great feat he has achieved and wish him even greater heights in his career.

04/12/2021

It's first Saturday of December, 2021 and we at MiddleBelt Herald are determined to "Heralding Truth for Peace and Sustainable Development" by raising the bar of "Truth Beyond Predatory Reach" through unbiased reportage and narrative.
Anticipate our print coming out soon.

10/11/2021

DEVELOPMENT: International Conference on Tiv Language Begins Tomorrow

By Simon Hambe

A Three-day International Conference on Tiv Language will commence tomorrow, Thursday 11th 2021 at the Aminu Isah Kontagora Arts Theatre in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. The President of the Tiv Language Studies Association, Rev. Fr. Tagesa Akpagher who disclosed this today at the Tor Tiv Palace in Gboko during a meeting with the Paramount Ruler of the Tiv Nation, Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse and all graded traditional rulers in Tivland.

The conference will address issues bordering on the development of repository of Tiv language.

25/10/2021

Journalists Charge Police to Expedite Action for the Return of Missing Colleague

By Simon Hambe

The Abuja Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists today, Monday 25th October, 2021 matched in peaceful protest to the Force Headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory to demand expedient action from the Nigerian Police Force on the case of Mr. Tordue Salem, the missing journalist of the Vanguard Newspaper.

Speaking at Louis Edet House, Chairman of Council Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche Ochiaka Ugwu related the concerns of the union to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali.

According to the NUJ Chair, It is regrettable to note that 12 days after Mr. Tordue Henry Salem DISAPPEARED, nothing much has happened to indicate whether he is alive or dead; whether he is captive of the State, a non-state or an alien.

Expressing disappointment in the laxity with which the Police is handling the sad incidence. stressed how saddening it is that, Mr. Ugwu said, despite incidenting a report at the House of Representatives Police Division about 48 hours after it became obvious that the journalist was missing, followed by a petition to both your office and that of the Director General of the Department of State Security by his employers- Vanguard Media Ltd and several other calls by the leadership of the NUJ to senior officers of the Police.

The Union also reminded the Inspector General of Police and his colleagues their duty to Nigerians.. Stressing that "it is relevant that we remind you that the State owes every Nigerian, particularly a journalist, protection and assurance of safety. Nigeria has continued to fare badly on the Press Freedom Index for six successive years and it will be most unfortunate if the DISAPPEARNCE of Mr. Tordue Henry Salem adds to the poor rating. In 2020, a report of Reporters Without Borders shows that Nigeria went five spots down the Press Freedom Index from 115 to 120 out of 180 countries, with the telling remark that Nigeria remains “one of West Africa's most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists.”

"Also, a June 2021 report of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Media Foundation for West Africa revealed that the media industry recorded seven unresolved killings, 300 violations, affecting about 500 journalists, media workers, and media houses in Nigeria.

"What all these underscore is that the prevailing environment is unsafe, suffocating and dangerous not just for journalists and other media workers but for the sustenance of democracy itself.

" It is in this wise that we are here to demand that Mr. Tordue Henry Salem not only be found, but that adequate protection be offered journalists going forward. That the culture of harassment, intimidation, brutalization and disappearances ends. Our demand is reinforced by the fact that as we approach 2023, a General Elections year in Nigeria, the political and economic elites become more desperate to hang on to power and because they will not want to be held accountable to the Nigerian people, the media becomes their major target. This culture of impunity should and must be arrested by the Nigeria Police as the primary security agencies as well as other sister agencies.

"Regarding Mr. Tordue Henry Salem, we demand that the case be transferred to a Special Unit of the IGP. While we appreciate the efforts of the FCT Command, the magnitude of the disappearance demands for a highly tactical, focused and coordinated Unit under the Office of the IGP.

Responding, the Police Boss through the Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba commended the NUJ for their faith in the Nigerian Police Force and assured that relevant search mechanisms will be deployed to the case towards ensuring the safe return of the missing journalist.

19/10/2021

INSECURITY: Youth Coalition Demands Accountability from Presidency, Police, Others

By Simon Hambe

Following the sudden disappearance of a young journalist, Mr. Tordue Salem in Abuja since last week, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), through its President General, Hon. Goodluck Egwu Ibem has issued a press statement demanding seriousness and commitment to search for the missing gentleman.

In the statement issued today Tuesday 19th October, 2021 in Abuja, the group prevailed on the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Inspector General of Police, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives as well as other relevant authorities to intensify efforts in the search for Mr. Tordue.

Also in a preemptive action, the group warned that a one million man match would be followed by the press statement should the government fail to ensure the safe return of the missing journalist and reunion with his family within seven working days.

According to earlier reports, Mr. Tordue Salem who is a journalist with Vanguard Newspaper covering the Lower Chambers of the National Assembly was last seen on Wednesday, 13th October, 2021 around Police Headquarters in Abuja.

We continue to hope for the safety of all Nigerians as we join people of goodwill in prayer for the safe return of our dear colleague.

29/08/2021

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT:

INVITATION!

The Kwande Traditional Council hereby cordially invites the following Sons and Daughters of Kwande LGA to a very important meeting. Those Specifically invited are:

1) All Prominent Sons and Daughters of Kwande at Home and in Diaspora

2) All Past and Present Leaders and Members of Christian Association of Nigeria in Kwande L.G.A.

3) All Chieftaincy Title Holders of Kwande

4) All Lecturers and Non Academic Staff across Tertiary Institutions (Universities, Polytechnics and Collages of Educations) who are Indigenes of Kwande L.G.A.

5) All Past and Present National and State Assembly Members who are Indigenes of Kwande L.G.A.

6) All Civil Servants at Federal, State and Local Government Levels who are Indigenes of Kwande L.G.A.

7) All Governorship Aspirants who are indigenes of Kwande

8) All Past and Present Leaders and Members of NBA, NUT, NULGE across Kwande L.G.A.

9) All Past and Present Leaders and Members of Kwande Youth Council

10) All Past and Present Leaders and Members of Kasev Kwande

11) All Past and Present Leaders and Members of Kasev Kwande East

12) All Past and Present State Government Appointees from Kwande L.G.A.

13) All Past and Present Local Government Appointees from Kwande L.G.A.

14) All Past and Present Elected and Appointed Local Government Council Chairmen in Kwande L.G.A.

15) All Past and Present Leaders and Members of Kwande Legislative Council

16) All Past and Present Party Leaders and Members of all Political Parties at Federal, State, L.G. and Council Ward in Kwande L.G.A.

17) All Past and Present Leaders and Members of IDA, NADA, SHADA and TUDA at Home and in Diaspora

18) All Elders, Opinion Leaders and Youth Groups who are Indigenes of Kwande L.G.A.

19) All Past and Present Leaders and Members of NURTW and BEMOA across Kwande L.G.A. who are Indigenes

20) All Proprietors, Principals, Head Teachers and PTA members of all Schools in Kwande.

21) All Ex- servicemen in Kwande L.G.A.

22) All Past and Present Leaders and Members of Vigilante Groups and Livestock Guards in Kwande L.G.A.

23) All Union Leaders and Market Association Members who are Indigenes of Kwande L.G.A.

24) All Business Men and Women who are Indigenes of Kwande L.G.A.

25) All Sons and Daughters of Kwande at Home and in Diaspora who have Interest in the development of Kwande at heart is highly invited to attend this meeting unfailingly.

Date: 4th September, 2021.
Venue: Kwande Local Government Secretariat.
Time: 10: 00 am

Signed
HRH Zaki Iorshagher Chula,
Mue-Ter-Ipusu,
On Behalf of Kwande L.G.A Traditional Council.

25/08/2021

INSECURITY: 8 Killed in Fresh Attack by Fulani Militia in Benue Community

By Simon Hambe

The Yelewata community in Guma local government area of Benue State was under fresh attack by heavily armed Fulani Militia in the night following governor Samuel Ortom's outing on Channels TV where the Chief security officer of the state lamented the relaxed manner with which the president Muhammadu Buhari led central government is handling security in Nigeria.

At least 8 defenseless people were killed during the attack with several others sustaining injuries.

Special assistant to the governor of Benue State, Hon. Franc Fagah Utoo who hails from the Yelewata community confirmed the number of people killed by the herdsmen in the attack of Tuesday night. The lawyer also said that one of the victims, Peter Akera who is a friend and a brother also lost his wife and four children during the attack.

According to Hon. Utoo, "last night, Fulani Herdsmen invaded Yelewata, my village, a border town with Nasarawa State, and killed his wife and his entire four children. The wife was preparing supper for the little kids who were playing around.

" The murdered woman experienced birth difficulties. She had two miscarriages before God finally blessed her womb and she was able to birth 4 children, among whom was a set of twins.

"Unfortunately, last night, Tuesday, 24 August, 2021, armed Herdsmen sneaked into her compound shortly after dusk, around 7:30 PM and shot and butchered her with the kids, while the husband was still in the market place.

Speaking further, our source said that three other people were also killed during the attack, expressing his shock he lamented that "this is the Nigeria we have today".

Mrs. Akera and her found children were being buried by the husband as at the time of filing this report.

16/08/2021

Humanitarian: Flood in Makurdi

Residents of over 50 households in Adeke-Achaku settlements along Barnabas Gemade Road, Makurdi South have been caused to evacuate their residence following the 6 hours of rainfall.

Middlebelt Herald Newspaper (MHN) gathered that the long hours of rainfall which caused the overflow of drainags has occasioned for a humanitarian situation in most part of Makurdi the Benue State capital and not just Adeke-Achaku settlements as other parts of the state capital including Achusa, Wurukum, Idye, Ahule are also flooded.

Speaking to our correspondent, one of the Adeke residents, Mr. Terkura Baya said that flooding started around 2am on Monday during the heavy rains and cited blockage of waterways and narrow drainage systems within Makurdi as the major cause of the overflowing waters that now find its way into the houses.

Also caught in the unfortunate situation are some internally displaced persons (IDPs) who living in host communities within Makurdi, most of whom been living in swampy areas under tach houses.

One of the IDPs, Deborah Ukede who spoke to MHN revealed that she and her siblings have been inside the water since 3am when the flood started because they have no where else to go. She said their parents are away to check the farm where they were given land by a family friend to cultivate left her with the four siblings.

The magnitude of the flood can be measured by the collapsing of structures. The fence around a property allegedly belonging to the former Chief Judge of Benue State, Hon. Justice Iorhenen Hwande was pushed down by the flood at Adeke settlement.

Flooding in Makurdi has been recurrent but the government and relevant agencies have either not taken the right approach to curbing the challenge or the residents are responsible for their problems due to noncompliance to development plans.

However, the plight of the people must be given serious attention hence, the call on government to take responsibility and act accordingly by ensuring that those who have blocked waterways are held accountable for their insensitive actions.