Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and Senator Adams Oshiomhole on Friday joined prominent Nigerians at the presidential villa, Abuja to condole members of the State House Press Corps (SHPC), in signing a condolence register in honour of late veteran journalist Kabiru Yusuf who before his demise was a correspondent with Radio France International (RFI).
Other dignitaries who took part in the signing of the condolence register were the Minister of Niger Delta Development Abubakar Momoh and the Minister of State Labour Nkiruka Onyejeocha.
Governor Alia was at the presidential villa to meet President Bola Tinubu behind closed doors but did not speak with reporters.
Indications were however rife that the Benue State governor’s visit to Aso Rock, may not be unconnected with recent security threats in the ‘food basket’ state’.
Only recently, specifically on Wednesday, July 3rd, one of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) – Ukum experienced a series of violent attacks and unrest with armed bandits killing at least 11 people.
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Reports indicate that this incident followed an earlier attack on Monday where three persons from the Agagbe Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp were killed while returning from their farm.
NewsQuest gathered that in response to the killings, youths in Ukum local government staged a violent protest on July 3, blocking roads and attacking the council secretariat over perceived government failure to prevent the attacks.
Governor Alia has since declared a 24-hour curfew in the entire local government.