Crisis: Police Close Down Benue Apc State Secretariat

The Benue State Police Command has sealed off the All Progressives Congress, APC, State secretariat in Makurdi as well as stopped Mr. Austin Agada-led Executives from holding its scheduled political meeting slated for Friday March 1 and 3, 2024.

The meeting was called by the executives of the APC with selected stakeholders and the newly appointed Federal Housing Authority, FHA, Executive Director Housing, Finance and Accounts, Dr. Matthias Byuan, in Makurdi.

However, the State Police Commnad in a letter signed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Samuel Gimba for the Commissioner of Police, addressed to Mr. Agada, advised that the meetings be called off.

The Command referred to an earlier letter it received from Governor Hyacinth Alia which embargoed all forms of political meetings and gatherings in the state.

The Governor in the letter dated February 27, 2024, through his Chief of Staff, Paul Biam banned all forms of political meetings and gathering in the state owing to the volatile security situation in the state.

The said letter read: “I write to inform you that Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alla has banned all political gatherings in any form, be it inter or intra party or groups in Benue State till further notice.

“This has become necessary following Intelligence on the volatility of the security atmosphere in the state. “It is certainly not news to you how the security atmosphere in the state has charged following the unprecedented influx of armed herdsmen in the state. You are by this notification invited to enforce this directive.”

Acting on the request by Governor Alia, the Police in a correspondence to Mr. Agada, advised him to suspend the said meetings. The letter read , “I refer to your letter dated February 7, 2024 notifying my office of your intention to hold the State Executive Commitee, SEC, meeting of the APC as well as stakeholders meeting of the party on March 1 and 3, 2024 respectively.

“I wish to however request you to suspend the said meetings and all other forms of political meetings till further notice in view of the directive af the Executive Governor of Benue State suspending the holding of all forms af political meetings and gatherings in the State due to the volatility of the security atmosphere in the state.”

Acting on the strength of the correspondences, the Police Friday morning as early 6am sealed off the State Secretariat of the APC on J S Tarka Road in Makurdi with stern looking Police personnel taking charge of the roads leading to the Secretariat.