Benue State News Summary: Latest Benue News Today, Monday, January 13, 2025
1. Farmer Killed After Ransom Payment: A prominent farmer and businessman, Terzungwe Shaku, from Akor village in Nzorov Council Ward, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, has been killed by gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen. Shaku was abducted before the New Year, with the kidnappers demanding N20 million. After the family paid N5.5 million in ransom, he was still killed, prompting residents to flee the area in fear of further attacks.
2. Benue State University Teaching Hospital Records IVF Success: The Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi has achieved its first In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) delivery at the Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Annex. The hospital also announced a policy of free medical treatment for pensioners in the state. According to Chief Medical Director Stephen Hwande, the hospital offers the most affordable IVF treatment in Nigeria, charging N400,000 compared to the N2 million to N5 million charged elsewhere.
3. Land Allocation to IDPs for Farming: The Benue State Government has allocated 5,600 hectares of land to 5,600 internally displaced persons (IDPs) households for farming. The allocation, approved by Governor Hyacinth Alia, grants each household one hectare of land to cultivate crops of their choice. The initiative aims to empower displaced families and improve food security in the state.
4. Investment Trust Fund for Young Entrepreneurs: The Benue State Government plans to establish an Investment Trust Fund to support young entrepreneurs in starting and growing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The Group Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, disclosed this during a virtual town hall meeting themed “Advancing Economic Development in Benue State: Our Recent Achievements and the Future Outlook.”
5. Security Measures in IDP Camps: The Benue State Government has deployed over 5,000 Civil Protection Guards to enhance security in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the state. Governor Hyacinth Alia announced this during a meeting with officials from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operation (ECHO). He highlighted that over 1.5 million people have been displaced in Benue since 2018 due to communal crises.
6. Agatu and MACBAN Peace Dialogue: The leadership of Agatu Local Government Area and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have resolved to end the ongoing crisis in the area. During a peace dialogue in Obagaji, both parties agreed to expose and report criminal elements to maintain peace in the region.
7. Audit Report on Lobi Stars FC: Following a forensic audit of Lobi Stars Football Club, the Benue State Government has ordered three former vice chairmen of the club to refund N2.4 billion to the state. The audit committee, led by San-Chir-Igba Donatus, revealed mismanagement of funds between January 2020 and September 2024. Additionally, the government is considering withdrawing its sponsorship of the club.
8. “Food Value Hunt” Agricultural TV Show: The Benue State Government plans to launch a live television programme, “Food Value Hunt,” to engage youths in the agricultural value chain. The initiative will involve 120 youths across the state, who will be empowered through mentorship, training, soft loans, and grants. Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Company, Mr. Donald Akule, disclosed that auditions for the show have commenced.
9. Cashless Tolling on Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Expressway: China Harbour Engineering Company Nigeria Limited has announced that a cashless tolling system will commence on the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi expressway from January 16, 2025. The system aligns with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission’s (ICRC) guidelines and aims to ensure sustainable road maintenance under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).