***Thugs Allegedly Mobilized to Attack Kwande Police Stations
Tension is mounting across Benue State following reports that the sacked chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Austin Agada, alongside members of his dissolved State Executive Committee, have concluded plans to forcefully reclaim the party’s Tinubu House Secretariat located on JS Tarka Way in Makurdi.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Agada announced that he and his dissolved executives would resume duties this weekend at the old state secretariat situated in the High-Level area of Makurdi—a move that could result in the APC operating from two parallel secretariats in the state.
Further heightening tensions, a separate statement released late Thursday night by Dan-Morgan Ihomun, the immediate past State Publicity Secretary of the APC, invited all sacked local government executive committee members and loyalists of Senator George Akume’s faction to participate in what observers describe as a planned forceful takeover of the recognized party secretariat on JS Tarka Way.
Meanwhile, the Benue Defenders, an independent security network in the state, told journalists on Friday that the sudden change in venue was based on advice allegedly given by the embattled Chief Judge of the state, Justice Maurice Ikpambese. According to the group, Justice Ikpambese purportedly informed stakeholders that the ongoing local government election cases in Abuja could only be ruled in favor of the dissolved Excos if they succeed in taking physical control of the authentic state secretariat, thereby positioning themselves as the de facto state executive.
In a statement, the Benue Defenders alleged:
“Representatives of Justice Maurice Ikpambese met with members of the National Assembly caucus and federal appointees from Benue State at the Maitama residence of Senator George Akume. Notable figures at the meeting included Pius Akutah and Matthias Byuan. During the meeting, the CJ’s representatives reportedly urged the stakeholders to mobilize heavy security to forcefully remove the Benjamin Omale-led Unity Caretaker Committee from the secretariat ahead of Agada’s planned illegal resumption.”
The group further claimed that plans had been finalized with the APC National Chairman, Dr. Umar Ganduje, to immediately recognize Agada and his dissolved Excos as the legitimate State Executive Council of the Benue APC if they successfully execute the takeover.
In a troubling twist, the Benue Defenders also accused the factional leaders of plotting to incite violence by coordinating thugs—allegedly led by Dan-Morgan Ihomun and Chief John Akpareshi—to burn police stations in Kwande Local Government Area. According to the group, the plan is aimed at creating an atmosphere of insecurity in the state, similar to tactics reportedly used during recent political unrest in Rivers State.
As of Friday evening, eyewitnesses reported the arrival of more than five truckloads of heavily armed security operatives in Makurdi, allegedly in preparation for the planned takeover of the party secretariat by Agada and his loyalists.
The situation remains tense as stakeholders and security agencies brace for potential confrontations in the coming days.
