The kidnappers of Chief Ekpe Ogbu, the commissioner for housing and urban development, have been apprehended, according to Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State.
At a Thanksgiving Mass for the Commissioner held at St. Paul’s Catholic Parish in Utonkon in the Ado local government area of the State, Ortom made this statement on Sunday.
The governor, who bemoaned the state’s security problems, urged the residents of the Benue South senatorial district to remain watchful and attentive to security problems in their neighbourhood.
A few miles from his village, on December 4, 2022, Ogbu, his driver, and two other people were taken hostage by armed men they believed to be Fulani militants.
Governor Ortom said in view of the looming insecurity in the State, there was the need for collective effort to tackle the challenge, emphasising that “the People of Zone C must stand up and support the Government to resist the invasion of our communities by Fulani herdsmen terrorists.”
The Governor insisted that communities must take their destiny into their hands, stressing that “Everybody must be vigilant and acquire legal weapons prescribed by law to wade off the invaders.”
Governor Ortom also stated that he would soon meet with the Idoma Area Traditional Council to review the security situation in the area in order to map out strategies to curtail the situation.
Ortom maintained that no one will stop him from speaking out against the atrocities perpetrated against the people of the State by Fulani terrorists, stressing that the society was too advanced for the crude approach deployed by the invaders whose sole agenda was to take over Benue ancestral lands.
He encouraged the people to sustain their support to security agencies posted to their area to enable them perform their duties.
The Governor stressed that the Community Volunteer Guards was to support community policing and urged the people to report any suspicious movement around their communities.
Governor Ortom described Chief Ogbu as a “Great son of Idomaland, a man who fears God and believes in equity, fairness and justice” noting that he has stood with him in his political journey and has never disappointed him.
He commended Chief Ogbu as a model and appreciated the community for supporting him, noting that they have had a cordial working relationship.
On the appeal by the celebrant over the state of Government College, Utonkon, the Governor said the State Government will liaise with the management of Benue State University with the view to making the college a campus of the University and directed the Commissioner to initiate a memo for the upgrade of some blocks at the institution as a first step.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Chief Ogbu said the celebration was to express gratitude to God for sparing him from the ordeal of the kidnappers, saying he was alive by the grace of God.
He recounted that he and his family had enjoyed numerous blessings from God, including his appointment as the first cabinet member from the Ufia community courtesy of Governor Ortom’s magnanimity.
Chief Ogbu had earlier drawn the attention of the Governor to the plight of Government College, Utonkon and appealed to the Governor to give the institution a facelift for the benefit of the community.
Paramount ruler of Idoma nation, Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, John Elaigwu Odogbo who also attended the thanksgiving Mass, prayed God to continue to preserve Chief Ogbu, calling on his subjects to be vigilant for the security of the domain and sued for sustained unity amongst Idoma people to defeat the common enemy, adding that with unity, a lot could be achieved.
Earlier in a homily, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. John Ogoyi who is also the Dean of Utonkon Deanery, proclaimed that the choices one makes in life will determine his or her destiny, stating that God has placed the choices of life and death for Christians and expects the faithful to choose life.
The Catholic cleric stressed the importance of thanksgiving, noting that a heart of gratitude attracts more blessings from God. Governor Ortom was later dressed in the traditional regalia of Ufia people as a mark of honour by the Ad’Ado, HRH, Chief Joseph Onazi in appreciation for the appointments given to their sons and daughters in his administration.
