Angry youths burn down house, loots property over goats in Benue

Life for the family of Mrs.Comfort Aku, who lived in Adi Agor settlement ,Gboko Local Goverment Area, Benue state, will not be the same again after youths in the area stormed their house and set it ablaze on Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs. Comfort Aku, was said to be the wife to the nephew of the first civilian Governor of Benue state ,Late Aper Aku ,by name Isaac Tyungu Aku.

The irates youths according to eye witness stormed Mrs.Comfort house with cutlass ,clubs ,stones and other dangerous weapons where they destroyed windows, door, burglary proof and looted the entire property in the building .

Not done yet,the Youths who operated with out challenge for more than over two hours also carted away animals like goats ,pigs etc .

While the destruction and looting of Mrs.Comfort Aku property was going on, the dauther , Deborah Aku, said she call the police who came but the youths over powered them, and the police only managed to rescued the family to the police station for their safety .

This is what Miss Deborah Aku said ” I made a call for help earlier today over an attack on my house and property by the late Ter Gboko (Akaahan Adi) community youths.

She narrated how the incidents started before it culminated into the burning of their house on Tuesday ,

Deborah said “The issue began last month because of a goat.

“They claimed their goat came to my house, drank water and died. They destroyed some of our properties. We reported to the Police who made some arrests and charged them to court. The traditional rulers were in the know of everything that happened.

Today ( Tuesday ) according to Deborah ” the youths mobilized and came to our house again, according to them over dead goats yet again.

They didn’t try to make any inquiry from us or anything. They just went about destroying the windows and house properties.

“They forced my mothers piggery open and took away all her pigs and Completely destroyed her car.

“We called the Police who came but were resisted by the youths. The Police whisked us to safety but immediately we left, the youths razed down the house. Said Deborah

“The youths said that they once sent someone else (a banker) away from the community so we are the second they will send away. My mother bought six plots in that place. We duly paid and settled everting we were to settle.

“When we settled there, the community didn’t have light but we spent millions bringing electricity to them. We also give them water and provide all sort of help to these people but today, they used the excuse of a “goat” inflict mayhem on us.

She stated further ” If this matter goes down without any action being made, the third and fourth and others will also be sent out. Well meaning Benue and Tiv sons as well as the the relevant authorities should help us get justice, cried Deborah.

Traditional Rulers condemned action of youths .

The traditional rulers of Mbayion ,host community where the incident happened after an emergency meeting condemned the action of the youths

The communique reads; The traditional Council strongly condemned the attack and burning of a house located at Adi Agor Village, reportedly owned by one Mrs. Comfort Isaac Tyungu Aku and described the action as callous and alien to the culture and tradition of the people of Mbayion.

“The Council equally condemned reported hostile actions against security agencies who were drafted to keep peace in the area, to prevent the situation from escalating.

The communique which was signed by seven traditional rules within Mbayion clan ,how ever frown at media report which alleged that the house of the first civilian governor was set ablaze ,saying it was the house of one Mrs.Comfort Tyungu Aku.

Governor Directs Council chairman to investigate and report back .

The Technical Adviser to Governor on Media ,Publicity and strategy Communications, Mr Solomon Iorpev, in a press statement, which he signed and made available to newsmen said ” Governor Hyacinth Alia has condemed the incident and directed the Care Taker Chairman of Gboko, Local Government Area Hon. Avaa Verlumun, to investigate the incident and report back to him( Governor) for immediate action.

Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajo, also condemned the attack on the family house of family of Mrs. Comfort Aku.

Hon.Dajo, who visited the scene of the incident vowed that the police must bring the perpetrators to face justice .

At press time the incident was reported at A division in Gboko, Gboko Local Government area in Benue state .