…says his ancestral home, public utilities, over 500 other houses razed in 2 months
Worried by incessant attacks on communities in Benue State, especially Akpa, a community in Mbakor, Tarka Local Government Area of the State, a renowned Oxford -trained environmental consultant, Arc. Patrick Ukura, has accused the Benue State government of failing in its statutory responsibility to protect the lives and property of the rural dwellers.
Arc. Ukura, who is the younger brother of the former Auditor General for the Federation, Dr Samuel Ukura, alleged that the state government has remained docile, refusing to act while his kinsmen in Akpa-Mbakor are being killed and their property worth millions of Naira destroyed in the past two months.
In a statement made available to DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS on Thursday in Abuja, Ukura lamented the inability of the state government to take a decisive approach in bringing the crisis to an end.
He said the crisis between Akpa, a community in Mbakor, Tarka Local Government Area, the LGA of the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume CON and Agasha in Guma Local Government Area, the LGA of the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has claimed several innocent lives of the indigenous people of Mbakor and witnessed the most devastating destruction in the community.
According to him, while the crisis persists between the two hitherto peaceful communities, the government of the state under the leadership of Gov. Hyacinth Iormem-Alia has deliberately refused to act.
He questioned the rationale for the state government’s ineptitude over the crisis that poses grave danger to the communities, especially as the 2027 general election is fast approaching.
Ukura also alleged that the state government is making a huge political capital out of the current crisis, hence its laissez-faire approach towards the communal clash that has claimed the lives of several innocent citizens, particularly those from Tarka Local Government Area.
He called on the Federal Government to intervene and save his people from further carnage to protect the sanctity of human lives.
Ukura further stated that efforts by the stakeholders in the area, which include Governor Alia’s Commissioners for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Terlumun Dwem and Housing, Roy Ashirga, as well as Tor Lobi HRH Mfave Anagende and Tor Jemgbah, HRH. Afatyo Ajoko, President General Mzough-u-Tiv, Rtd Comdr. A. AGBECHA, among others, also failed to yield fruitful results.
His words: “Why has the Benue State Government failed in her primary responsibility to safeguard the lives and properties of her citizens for this long? More worrisome are the failed attempts by critical stakeholders, including Commissioner Terlumun Dwem. How can the Benue State Government allow this crisis to persist? My people’s means of livelihood are destroyed daily, yet the governor does not care. Why play politics with human lives?”
Our Correspondent gathered from an impeccable source that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,Sen. George Akume is sadden by the development and has restrained his kinsmen from retaliating.
According to the source, Akume has vehemently condemned the crises and is taking steps to end the unfortunate dispute.
It would be recalled that crises broke out on 5th August 2026 between the two communities over an unauthorised burial of a corpse on Akpa-Mbakor ancestral land and have continued unabated, resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of property.
