By: Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi,
Reactions have trailed the Monday attack on the mansion belonging to Paul Tyungu the brother of 1st civilian Governor of Benue State.
The building which was located in the ancient city of Tiv kingdom Gboko, Benue State was burnt down by hoodlums.
Investigation revealed that trouble started when a strayed goat mistakenly ran inside the mansion and allegedly disappeared into thin air.
The Benue Speaker Hon Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh who visited the scene of the incident described the situation as unfortunate.
In his view “this is the height of cruelty and wickedness , act of hooliganism of the highest order imaging how can you do this to the relatives of former 1st civilian Governor late Mr Apollos Aper Aku on whose foundation the State was laid
Some leaders in the community who preferred to remained anonymous on whose soil the Mansion is sited frowned at the spate of insensitivity demonstrated by the hoodlums, calling on law enforcement agents to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to book.
” We have lived peacefully in time immemorial wondering aloud those formenting disharmony, imploring that everything humanly possible must be done to ensure justice prevailed in the case of these arsonists and made to face the music “
Salient Times checks showed that some arrests were made
In his comment on the incident Technical Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor Mr Solomon Iorpev stated that already directive has been given by his boss Governor Hyacinth Alia to Gboko Council Chairman to ensure the arsonists were brought to book
According to him the law is no respecter of anyone emphasising whoever had a hand in committing the crime will pay dearly for the losses.
Speaking on the matter Miss Deborah Aku lamented that they were unjustly crucified apparently referring to the stray goat which their neighbours are accusing them unjustly, noting that the claims is unfounded .
The Benue Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Superintendent Catherine Anene confirmed that the Command has launched investigation to ascertain what led to the destruction assuring that the Police is on top of the matter.
It could be recalled that 1st Civilian Governor Late Apollos Aper Aku was the Benue governor between 1983- 1984 under the defunct National Party of Nigeria NPN.
His regime witnessed monumental development which observers says remained beneficial today, a milestone ever achieved by any other succeeded leaders forty six years after the creation of the state.
