Family narrowly escape as thugs burn down house of ex-Benue gov
Hoodlums have reportedly burnt down the residence of a former Governor of Benue State, late Aper Aku, in the Gboko area of the state.
The incident was said to have happened on Monday after police safely evacuated six family members from the building.
A daughter of the late governor, Deborah Aku, told journalists in Makurdi that the Police rescued six of them early enough before the hoodlums burnt the house.
She explained that trouble began in March after a man came to the house with a cutlass and threatened to deal with them if his goat died again, claiming that he was told that his goat died after drinking water from their house.
Aku said her mother reported the incident to the Police Division in Gboko and the matter was later charged to court.
She however added that the fresh attack took place between 7am and 8am on Monday when the hoodlums besieged the house and trapped all six occupants.
“The incident started between 7am and 8am on Monday. They came around and didn’t talk to anyone numbering over 30. When we noticed that their visit was not friendly we locked all the doors and called the Police.”
“Before the Police could arrive they started destroying the house, killed our dog, broke into the pig house and carted away with all the pigs. They also destroyed our mother’s car.
“The Police arrived and were able to rescued us out of the house. We left with the Police with only what we were putting on. While we were on our way with the Police the house was burnt with everything inside. The Police came in two trucks but the boys were many and even attacked them too.
“Yesterday (Monday) when the incident happened, the Police were only able to rescue us out of the house before it was burnt down. If not for them we would have probably being burnt inside the house. We were six inside the house.
“We are waiting for the Police to carry out their investigations. We have also reported the matter to all the relevant authorities including the governor and Speaker because this is his constituency.” she narrated.
Also, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident to journalists on Tuesday in Makurdi.
Anene however, said she did not have further details as at the time of filing this report.
Reacting to the incident, the Senior Special Assistant to Benue Governor on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment, Mkeenem Moses, condemned the attack on the residence of Aku who is the first civilian Governor of the state.
He decried the destruction of numerous property worth millions of Naira, saying the situation was savage and unacceptable and tasked security agencies in Gboko to take urgent steps to stop further attacks within the community and the state at large.
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