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Benue State stakeholders at an expanded Security Council meeting today commended Governor Samuel Ortom for his proactive approach to prevent the escalation of the security situation in Konshisha Local Government Area after the killing of an Army Captain and 11 other soldiers.  A communique signed by Governor Ortom and Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Ijohor, SAN, which was read by the Governor at the end of the Security Council meeting had the following resolutions.  "The meeting commends the efforts made by His Excellency Governor Samuel Ortom to prevent the escalation of the crisis following the killing of soldiers in Konshisha Local Government and the efforts he has made to ensure peace and security in the State.  "The stakeholders meeting also commends the Governor and stakeholders for ensuring the recovery of 11 out of the 12 weapons that were taken away from the murdered soldiers.  "The meeting mandates the Go

By Aviashima Toom More arms have been recovered and four persons handed over to the Police to help in the investigation and arrest of perpetrators of the murder of soldiers in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State. Governor Samuel Ortom who briefed journalists today after an expanded Security Council meeting with stakeholders from Konshisha Local Government Area, said the military during the search operation recovered one Ak47. He stated that efforts of the Security Council, traditional rulers led by Tor Jechira, Chief Clement Uganden and Ter Ikyor, Chief Jam Gbinde as well as political leaders also led to the recovery of eight  Ak47 rifles and one machine gun. According to the Governor, the Security Council handed over to the police, the Deputy Chairman Konshisha Local Government Council, Hon Sam Kave, District Head of Iwarnyam, Chief Unaha Koko, Kindred Head of Mbator, Chief Emmanuel Achirgbenda and the Councilor representing Mbagusa-Mbatser Ward, Tersugh Mela. T

By Doris Nnaji   Governor Bello Matawalle has suspended the District Head of Badarawa in Shinkafi Emirate Council, Surajo Namakkah. The district head was suspended indefinitely by the governor for conferring traditional title of Durumbu on a military officer who was arrested for allegedly selling ammunition to bandits in the state. A statement issued on Friday in Gusau by Mr Yusuf Idris, Director-General Media to the governor, said the state government would not tolerate anything capable of destroying the hard earned peace of the state. The governor pledged to ensure that anybody found wanting in anyway will be dealt with accordingly. Matawalle warned that henceforth, traditional rulers must seek approval before conferring traditional titles, to avoid unnecessary embarrassment to government and the traditional institution. According to the governor, the military officer was recently arrested in possession of 20 rounds of 62mm live ammunition. The suspect was said to be at the point of

By Aviashima Toom The Minister of Defence, Retired General Bashir Salihi Magashi says the Nigerian Armed Forces are deeply saddened and disappointed by the killing of soldiers in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State, but stresses that the unfortunate incident will not discourage the military from carrying out its duty of protecting lives of the people. The Minister spoke today when he led the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and other top military officers to pay a courtesy visit on Governor Samuel Ortom at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi. He expressed President Muhammadu Buhari's displeasure over the killing of soldiers, said barbarism and anything that tries to make Nigeria ungovernable would not be accepted.  The Defence Minister stated that for the morale of the soldiers to be restored, perpetrators of the dastardly act must be apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law, pointing out that they were also in the state to restore confidence

From Aviashima Toom  The Benue State Security Council today rose from an expanded meeting on the recent incident in Konshisha with a call on the people to refrain from making inflammatory statements, in order not to aggravate the situation. Governor Samuel Ortom who briefed journalists after the meeting, said government and security agencies should be allowed to handle the situation. He stated that the meeting had condemned in very strong terms the killing of soldiers by militia members in Konshisha, noting that traditional rulers and other stakeholders should ensure that weapons seized by the militia were returned unconditionally. According to the Governor, Council sent condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief of Army Staff and families of the slain soldiers, stressing that six people were also confirmed dead in the military search operation that followed the killing of soldiers. While noting that those who killed the soldiers must he arrested and prosecuted, Counc

By Aviashina Toom The GlaxoSmithKline and Save the Children Foundation has donated over #20 million worth of Medical Oxygen and other devices to Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital in Jigawa State  The donation according to the organization will improve access to medical oxygen and thus reduce the number of children dying from pneumonia and other illnesses due to lack of access to medical oxygen. In a statement singed by the Information and Communications Coordinator, Save The Children International, Kunle Olawoyin, in Abuja said that, the ultimate aim is to accelerate achievement of the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhea and Sustainable Development Goal targets of less than 3 child pneumonia deaths per 1,000 births and less than 25 child deaths per 1,000 births by 2030 According to the statement, NDHS 2018 reports that Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is among the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Pneu

By Aviashina Toom The GlaxoSmithKline and Save the Children Foundation has donated over #20 million worth of Medical Oxygen and other devices to Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital in Jigawa State  The donation according to the organization will improve access to medical oxygen and thus reduce the number of children dying from pneumonia and other illnesses due to lack of access to medical oxygen. In a statement singed by the Information and Communications Coordinator, Save The Children International, Kunle Olawoyin, in Abuja said that, the ultimate aim is to accelerate achievement of the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhea and Sustainable Development Goal targets of less than 3 child pneumonia deaths per 1,000 births and less than 25 child deaths per 1,000 births by 2030 According to the statement, NDHS 2018 reports that Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is among the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Pneu