Ezza-Ezekuna elders  accuse Ado council boss of allegedly abetting criminalities in Benue 

From Attah Ede Makurdi 

The Ezza-Ezekụna Benue State Council of Elders under the auspices of forum of Ezza-Ezekuna Benue elders have accused the Executive Chairman of Ado local Government Council, Sunday Oche of allegedly aiding and abetting act of criminalities in the area.

They lamented that the council chairmen is shielding individuals and group who allegedly engage in abductions and collection of ransoms from poor  innocent villagers in some Ezza communities in the local government area. 

The forum further lamented that the council boss is doing everything humanly possible to divert from the case at hand from the knowledge of the general public, stating that his purported video interview circulating on social media concerning the ongoing case of abduction and raping in Ezza-Ezekuna axis is misleading and endorsement of criminality. 

The elders in a petition to relevant authorities signed  by Chief Odom Nweze Emmanuel,  Chairman,  Ezza-Ezekuna  Benue  Council of Elders, Chief Hyacinth Ebilima, Secretary and thirteen others, frowned at a video circulating on social media from what they said, looks like an interview by those fingered in the ongoing reported case of abuse of human right, abductions, creation of illegal detention centre  and collection of ransoms from their victims at Ubioge community in Ijigban council ward of the local government.

They expressed displeasure over the gathering of those suspected individuals whom the council chairman admitted to be his boys and supporters in connection with the abduction and torture of a woman who was kept in the illegal cell for one month, twelve days and with men who allegedly raped her at will and inflicted injuries all over her body with matchet cut.

They said  such act is not the nature of Ezza-Ezekụna people and could be seen as a slap on democracy and mockery to human justice. 

According to the elders, it became very imperative for the general public to know what is happening in Adọ LGA, stating that,  on Monday 7th of July 2025, alleged criminal case bothering on intimidation, harassment and abduction of villagers and keeping them in an illegal detention cell for ransoms by some individuals and group in Ezza-Ezekuna  communities was reported at Divisional Police Station and the Military Camp in Igumale, Ado LGA.

The security  personnel acted swiftly on the report and moved to the affected area where they uncovered the illegal cell and rescued one Mrs Ukoro Chinyere, a mother of eight who has being in the detention for one month and twelve days of tortures.

According to the elders, two of the illegal cell guards were arrested by the police but later released on the directive of the council chairman on the ground that they are his boys and strong supporters, even when they confessed to the crime and equally mentioned names of their sponsors.

The Ezza-Ezekụna Benue Elders, therefore, wonder why those accused of such criminalities and heinous crimes could be seen with the council chairman granting press interview at the  Local Government Council Secretariat Igumale, instead of being taking Correctional Center to serve as a deterrent  to others, stating that Local Government Secretariat is not in anywhere a better place to interview criminals rather police station and court of law. 

The elders urges the council boss to handle over the suspects to law enforcement agencies for proper investigation and prosecution as Ezza-Ezekuna communities do not harbor or celebrate criminals.

They  appeal to  the Benue State Governor  Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia  and the senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Comrade Abba Moro to come to the aid of Ezza Benue people in  ensuring that  Mrs Chinyere and other victims of the illegal detention center including Mr. Benjamin Otubo whom they collected one hundred and ninety thousand naira (#190,000) as ransom for no just reason get justice.

The Ezza-Ezekuna  elders also appreciates the effort of the Deputy Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Chief Lami Ogenyi for  her intervention to ensure that the victims get justice and the suspects brought to book.

Meanwhile, all efforts to get the reaction of the Executive Chairman of Ado local Government Council, Sunday Oche at the time of filling this report was not successful.