Welcome to Victor Eke's blog: BENUE STATE

I can rob any taxi driver with ordinary biscuit – Suspect

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTA8wMCfN7WAZK3fev3AmOK9HjJ8ZI5kGibb4bDGbnCLnNMh4DflmACXgU5W_ymZidjXBZjywD7dIsWejCQBHtnFp1GXskUX4KztdTGwfHOfzdbs-YQ2RAFDo55FV58i0iR-zWgn7uJYLc/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTA8wMCfN7WAZK3fev3AmOK9HjJ8ZI5kGibb4bDGbnCLnNMh4DflmACXgU5W_ymZidjXBZjywD7dIsWejCQBHtnFp1GXskUX4KztdTGwfHOfzdbs-YQ2RAFDo55FV58i0iR-zWgn7uJYLc/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>Forty-nine-year-old Garba Ibrahim, a shoe seller-turned car dealer, found a niche in the robbery world. He simply specialised in robbing taxi drivers. 
 
Ibrahim, a native of Otukpo, Benue State’s simple and seemingly harmless way of dispossessing taxi drivers of their vehicles, took him across Abuja, Benue and Kogi states, where he operated until the long arm of the law caught up with him. 
 
When he was apprehended, Ibrahim, who is now being held at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, told police investigators, 
 “With only biscuit, I can rob any taxi driver. I usually lace the biscuit with drugs.” 
When Ibrahim was caught by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team, eight vehicles were recovered from him. They were the remaining of many vehicles he stole and had yet to dispose of. 
 
Ibrahim’s last victim, whom he robbed in Abuja, reportedly provided the police with information that led to him being tracked down in his hometown of Otukpo, where he was hiding out in a car dealership filled with cars from his victims. 
 
A police source said Ibrahim had robbed the victim after giving him tea and biscuit that had been laced with drugs. 
 
Ibrahim said in the statement he made to police investigators that he was married 
 
with four children and started his criminal activities just few months ago, when he realised robbing taxi drivers was not that difficult. 
 
The suspect said he discovered the method of drugging taxi drivers by chance. 
 
He said, “It all started when I chartered a cab from Makurdi to Gboko. On the way, I stopped over at a restaurant to buy food, part of which I offered to the driver. We bought Semovita and drove to a place and started eating. He started feeling dizzy. 
“I then took out his floor mat from the car and told him to sleep on it. But before he slept off, I took the car key. As soon as he slept off, I drove the car, a Volkswagen Golf 3 to Otukpo and I sold it to a man called Chiama for N500,000. 
“Fourteen days after I robbed that driver, I travelled to Abuja and boarded another cab. I asked the driver to take me to Sheraton Hotel. I paid him when we got there and asked him to wait so he could take me back. I entered the hotel to make him think I was rich. But I went to the pool side and sat there for some time.” 
 
 Ibrahim said after a while, he went out to meet the driver and told him to take him to another hotel. 
 
When they got there, he said he paid for a room and told the driver to follow him inside to collect his fare. 
 
The suspect said, “Once inside the room, I told him I needed to eat something fast and asked if he wanted something to eat too. I brought out bread and biscuit from my bag. I had already put some sleeping drugs on them. 
“I took one of the biscuits and gave the rest to him, which he took and ate. Soon after, he slept off. I then took his key and left with the key. I drove the vehicle to Kano State and I sold it to one Abdulrahman for N600,000.” 
 
However, the police said Ibrahim’s undoing was his last victim’s phones, which he took away and gave out as gifts to his in-laws. 
 
He was said to have given one of the phones to his mother-in-law, and the other to his sister-in-law, who were none-the-wiser about the criminal activities of their benefactor. 
 
As soon as Ibrahim’s victim gave vital information to enable the police to track the phones, the mother-in-law and her daughter were quickly located. Soon after, they led the police to Ibrahim. 
 
The police have said Ibrahim would soon be charged to court as soon as investigation is complete. 
 
Punch</div>

I can rob any taxi driver with ordinary biscuit – Suspect

Forty-nine-year-old Garba Ibrahim, a shoe seller-turned car dealer, found a niche in the robbery world. He simply specialised in robbing tax...

Killers Of Rev Fr John Adeyi Beg Family For Forgiveness

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGttUb1Wu0unSBg_CUknQSQGCQ8zVwOAAokos8nsBP06pMweVv7h_F07ZnDz88Koww0EUYQTrmURDbz-BjHEXSfM7v-edKLXC-Uvsqm5GAqmlnKRoJbU21asEIgs1lIa20QqWYtcwBTUUc/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGttUb1Wu0unSBg_CUknQSQGCQ8zVwOAAokos8nsBP06pMweVv7h_F07ZnDz88Koww0EUYQTrmURDbz-BjHEXSfM7v-edKLXC-Uvsqm5GAqmlnKRoJbU21asEIgs1lIa20QqWYtcwBTUUc/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>The suspected killers of Rev Fr John Adeyi, the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Benue State have pleaded with the Benue State government to tamper justice with mercy. 
 
The suspects, who were paraded yesterday, admitted that the cleric did not do anything to them before they killed him, claiming that the he was already destined to die. 
 
A source reports that the killer squad begged the state government as well as the police to forgive them. 
 
The gang leader, Gina was quoted as saying: “He did not do anything to us, and I think his death was destined. We killed him after collecting ransom from his family because vigilante and villagers were closing in on us, so we killed him.</div>

Killers Of Rev Fr John Adeyi Beg Family For Forgiveness

The suspected killers of Rev Fr John Adeyi, the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Benue State have pleaded with the Benue Sta...

EFCC probes Ortom over N4.29bn transfer

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiXCG8InahQgTHG8d-PrIVhGNHVP8qq_H50vI3S3-MGrPQoHzWYiiSpwiZG1zsHlo1Y6Bs9c_b3ljw-FmncJJAxnYF9ZNjbTJC9mkS6QlZko8T_6sxYYsCb74vvuuWaDrL_zFBtHFdjOU/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiXCG8InahQgTHG8d-PrIVhGNHVP8qq_H50vI3S3-MGrPQoHzWYiiSpwiZG1zsHlo1Y6Bs9c_b3ljw-FmncJJAxnYF9ZNjbTJC9mkS6QlZko8T_6sxYYsCb74vvuuWaDrL_zFBtHFdjOU/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>Barely a year in office, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has come under the searchlight of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following allegation he caused the transfer of the state’s cash amounting to N4.29 billion from banks to unknown recipients. 
 
This came as the immediate past Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, was also arrested by the EFCC for questioning over alleged fraud and abuse of office. 
 
On the strength of the three petitions fired by insiders in Benue State government, the EFCC has already swung into action by questioning some persons close to the government in relation to the cash transfers. 
 
 
A top official of the commission confirmed to Vanguard, last night, that the agency received two petitions against the governor and some top officials of the administration and had already commenced investigation into the matter, even though the governor is covered by immunity while in office. 
 
He said: “I can confirm to you that the commission has received petitions against Governor Ortom and other dramatis personae over alleged diversion and other financial infractions. We have also commenced investigation into the veracity of the petitions. And I can also tell you that the commission will soon take necessary action on the matter.” 
 
Some of those named in the petitions as arrowheads of the scam are members of the state House of Assembly and the National Assembly. 
 
The official said only those not covered by immunity were being interrogated in connection with the cash movement, adding that the outcome of the commission’s probe would soon be made public. 
 
Governor Ortom, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Terver Akase, said the report was not only false but also a demonstration of mischief and ignorance by the authors of the petitions. 
 
Quizzes Inde, ex-Customs CG, over N40bn cash diversion 
 
Inde, who had been on the radar of the anti-graft agency for the past one year, was arrested and taken into the commission’s facility in Abuja for interrogation. 
 
A top official in the commission confirmed to Vanguard that Inde, who arrived the head office of the commission around 10 am, was still being quizzed at press time. 
 
According to competent source in the commission, the interrogators picked up Inde in connection with N40 billion, which he allegedly pocketed while in office. 
 
According to the source, Inde allegedly diverted the huge sum of money from the purse of the NSC. The source added that the amount accrued from the seven per cent cost of collection of Customs revenue and another one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme, which generated billions of Naira in revenue, but was largely diverted. 
 
Beyond the N40 billion said to have been diverted by Inde, EFCC is also questioning him on how he came about the over N2 billion, which he used in building what the commission described as a ‘palatial mansion’ located at 1, Audu Ogbe Street, Jabi, Abuja. 
 
The commission believes that Inde lived above his means as a public servant and might have abused his office for personal gains while serving as Customs boss. 
 
For that reason, the commission is likely going to charge Inde to court for criminal conspiracy, theft, abuse of public office and diversion of public funds, among others.</div>

EFCC probes Ortom over N4.29bn transfer

Barely a year in office, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has come under the searchlight of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission...

Senate reveals those behind Agatu massacre

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOguI232ztmglGGYcpFEON9dzt2eWZaxtF5_Oks2oSDt18-mHsfQsJj_oISYyUeynXmbrllHl6NjFh0dvI53OSsn8AcJTyr6x35PupWV0GnjebQkzQ7oYsf7q3jpH-VMEmBzR1M8koWQA/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOguI232ztmglGGYcpFEON9dzt2eWZaxtF5_Oks2oSDt18-mHsfQsJj_oISYyUeynXmbrllHl6NjFh0dvI53OSsn8AcJTyr6x35PupWV0GnjebQkzQ7oYsf7q3jpH-VMEmBzR1M8koWQA/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>The Nigerian Senate has revealed those behind the brutal killings that ensued in Agatu communities of Benue state. 
 
Premium Times reports that the red chamber on March 9, revealed that the crimes of mass murder across Nigerian communities were carried out by “overpowered” Boko Haram terrorists, not Fulani herdsmen as earlier alleged. 
 
 
 
This revelation was part of the Senate’s resolutions that accompanied a motion moved by Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP-Taraba State) on “the need to urgently flush out Boko Haram insurgents reassembling in Taraba State.” 
 
“The Senate is aware that that Nigerian Army has recorded tremendous success in the war against insurgents in the States of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. 
 
“There is a change of tactics by insurgents who now parade as herdsmen to make it difficult for the public to identify them,” Bwacha said. 
 
The lawmaker asserted that several communities in his Taraba South constituency had fled because of consistent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents “masquerading as Fulani herdsmen.” 
 
Before this motion, Fulani herdsmen have been on the spot light as they are always accused of mass murder as well as destruction of farms in parts of the country. The latest of such accusation was the mindless killings that took place in Agatu communities. 
 
Contributing to the motion, Barnabas Gemade (APC-Benue State) said Boko Haram insurgents were “mixing with herdsmen to cause trouble.” The lawmaker, who had visited other states where such attacks had taken place, lamented the situation in Benue state. 
 
Gemade revealed that there was a community in Zamfara state during his visit that had lost over 250 residents to Boko Haram insurgents parading themselves as herdsmen. 
 
The lawmaker who disclosed that Agatu is under siege, asked the government to make sure herdsmen have grazing space for cattle in order to mitigate the hazard of destruction of farms. 
 
Abubakar Kyari (APC-Borno State), in his contribution to the debate, posited that Fulani herdsmen should not be described as “unfriendly.” 
 
“When Fulani herdsmen or Kanuri are being tagged as unfriendly, it portends danger for the country and freedom to live and work anywhere,” Kyari said. 
 
The red chamber unanimously decided to condemn the killings, kidnappings, destruction of property and farms by “Boko Haram insurgents” in communities across Benue, Taraba, Plateau and other states. 
 
The Senate revelation might be coming in as a shock against the backdrop of the earlier disclosure made by Ado Boderi. 
 
 
 
The Nation reports that Boderi, who spoke on behalf of the Fulani community on March 3, accused the farmers of killing 10,000 cattle belonging to its members. He made the accusation at a meeting between Agatu community, Fulani community and Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase. 
 
Boderi acknowledged that it was criminal minded people from both sides that intensified the crisis despite the swift intervention of the state governor. 
 
No fewer than 300 people were killed in Agatu community by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Residents of the community in reaction to the killings on March 2, carried out a peaceful protest to express their displeasure over the incident. 
 
 
 
Culled from Naija.com</div>

Senate reveals those behind Agatu massacre

The Nigerian Senate has revealed those behind the brutal killings that ensued in Agatu communities of Benue state. Premium Times reports t...

Married woman escapes, as 22-yr-old lover overdoses on sex enhancement drugs

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEphsE9EWY5N1YaToE664wdmHONWjcVHlZSGCCkOetrw45yR1j_yGK5mdA55syfuNfEQIxcFvl4LtiZWBC0uhyG3bV8iy00-u4WS4pRHsF-N2cPmv7af3-A9kSm6C-HmWng5OrBu6eN9vx/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEphsE9EWY5N1YaToE664wdmHONWjcVHlZSGCCkOetrw45yR1j_yGK5mdA55syfuNfEQIxcFvl4LtiZWBC0uhyG3bV8iy00-u4WS4pRHsF-N2cPmv7af3-A9kSm6C-HmWng5OrBu6eN9vx/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>MILITARY authorities in Benin, Edo State, are on the trail of a married woman, who abandoned a 22-year-old boy in a hotel room after she gave the boy an overdose of sex enhancement drugs. 
 
The source learned that the boy raised an alarm when he started experiencing pains in his erect penis. The receptionist reportedly met the boy looking very weak. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital. 
 
 
A source was informed that the said woman normally comes to the hotel with the boy after dropping off her children in school. 
 
A source Reported: “She will be in the hotel from 8a.m. till about 2p.m., when she will go and pick the children from school. She spends all the time with the boy in the hotel room.” 
It was further gathered that the woman was always buying milk and sex enhancement drugs for the boy. However, on this said day, she was alleged to have given the boy an overdose, leading to the boy’s permanent state of erection. 
 
The boy is said to receiving treatment under the watch of some military personnel, who came to his rescue. 
 
It was learned that police have also been informed, but that they intend to allow the boy regain his strength before going after the married woman, who is said to be a mother of three and married to a wealthy man. 
 
 
 
Vanguard</div>

Married woman escapes, as 22-yr-old lover overdoses on sex enhancement drugs

MILITARY authorities in Benin, Edo State, are on the trail of a married woman, who abandoned a 22-year-old boy in a hotel room after she gav...