By Amos Aar
THE Benue State government on Thursday imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in three local government areas of the state following Tuesday’s assassination of Chief (Dr) Terkula Suswam in his residence at his home town of Anyiin in Logo local government area, along with his aide, Solomon Utanor.
The government also announced five million naira ransom for any valuable information that would lead to the arrest of the assassins.
Announcing the measures at a press conference at Government House, Makurdi, Governor Samuel Ortom, who presided over an emergency meeting of the State Security Council (SSC), revealed that the meeting resolved to restrict movement from 6pm to 6am in Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Logo LGAs following increased tension since the assassination of Dr Suswam, who was elder brother to former Governor Gabriel Suswam, now the Senator representing Benue Zone A.
The governor also announced the banning of the operation of commercial motorcyclists and unpainted taxis, popularly called “Duck Nyash,” in in the entire Sankera area comprising Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo LGAs.
Governor Ortom, who charged security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone operating with the banned modes of commercial transportation irrespective of their status in the society, explained that the decision became necessary following the continued usage of these means of transportation by criminals to perpetrate crime in Sankera.
He pleaded with residents in the affected LGAs, particularly the Chairmen of Councils, to cooperate with security agencies in their respective local governments areas to ensure the enforcement of the Security Council’s directive.
He called on vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles particulars are properly registered and documented at the appropriate quarters.
The governor also advised commercial drivers to always load passengers in officially designated motor parks in the respective local government areas they found themselves.
Governor Ortom stated that the Security Council while strongly condemning the assassination of Dr Suswam, also declared total war on criminality in the state. He said the security agencies gave assurances that they will do all in their power to apprehend the assassins.
According to the governor, the Security Council also set up an ad hoc security committee headed by the Adviser on Security to the Governor to sensitise the public on security issues and to further recommend strategies to be adopted in that direction.
Featured image: Late Dr Suswam
