Deputy Speaker raises alarm over illegal detention Centres In Benue 

… Accuses Council Boss Of Sponsorship 

From John Gbabi, Makurdi 

Deputy Speaker of the Benue State  House of Assembly, Mrs. Lami Danladi Ogenyi, on Wednesday, raised the alarm over  illegal detention centres across her Constituency of Ado local government area of the State. 

Mrs. Ogenyi who raised the alarm at a press conference in Makurdi,  accused the Ado council chairman, Sunday Oche of been behind the operation of the illegal cells, whom she  said were allegedly using his political supporters under the guise of Ezza Ezekuna Patriotic Front. 

The speaker alleged that the group have been going from one Ezza-Ezekuna  community to the others arresting innocent members of the communities illegally and collecting ransom of over N200,000 per victims. 

She said further that the victims are usually be taken to a hideout in a forest where the  cells are located, tortured with most of them sustaining several matchete cuts on their bodies. 

Said she, “one of the victims Mrs Chinyere Ukoro was detained, tortured and raped serially. Even during her menstrual cycle, they were raping her. 

“Another victim was captured, beaten to death in the presence of some chiefs and buried in a swallow grave and following serious public outcry, Mrs Ukoro was released alongside several victims.

“I received lot of petitions  from my Constituents addressed to Department of. State Security, DSS and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP. 

” I also, raised a motion on the floor of the House calling for the suspension of the chairman and an  investigation should be carried out on the issue as well as financial mismanagement. 

“Part of the motion entitled Motion calling the immediate suspension of the chairman of Ado local government council Hon Sunday Oche from Office for 6 months for using his office to perpetuate criminal in the area

” That the House recommends the immediate suspension of Hon Sunday Oche and his Deputy,  Mrs. Jane Ikese from office for six months to allow for investigation without any interference. 

“That the House set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the activities of the Chairman and his Deputy and if found wanting they should be recommended for impeachment by the Local Government Legislative Council (Councillors),

“That within the period of their suspension, the Leader of Ado Local government Legislative Council should take over the affairs of the LGC in acting capacity.

“That all the network providers be directed to stop further payments to any private bank account other than the  Local Government bank account with UBA branch in Igumale. They should also be ready to provide evidence of any previous payments to any bank accounts. 

“That the police in Ado Division should immediately re-arrest those already released on the orders of Hon Sunday Oche (Chairman Ado LGA), for immediate arraignment in Court for criminal charges”, she stated. 

One of the victims  Mrs Angela Eze while narrating her ordeal in the hands of her captors,  said, “on the fateful day, a group of three persons storm their house, abducted her husband and took him to an indisposed destination. 

A splinter group of the Ezza Ezekuma Patriotic Front have decried the high rate of insecurity in their community, saying that the situation has overwhelmed the council Chairman hence, the incessant kidnapping, raping and maiming of innocent persons especially women and children. 

They have therefore cães on the Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to deploy adequate conventional to forestall further breakdown of law and order in community. 

Meanwhile, the Council Chairman, Engr. Sunday Oche has outrightly denied the allegation, describing it as false aimed at discrediting and tarnishing his administration and person. 

The Chairman who spoke to journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday dismissed the allegation, said that there was no such group or any detention cells in his council.

Oche who confirmed that a group of people in Ezza had petitioned the IG and DSS said that the petition was forwarded to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 4, Makurdi.

Oche also confirmed that the state assembly had invited him for investigation on the matter as well as on financial impropriety which he claimed that the committee did not find him wanting.

He further said that over 18 petitions had been written against him since his assumption of office October, 2024, “see, i ust received another petition again now”.