* As govt announces 24-hour curfew
Some Benue State youths, on Wednesday, set ablaze the office of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while protesting bandits’ attacks on their communities.
The Commission’s Local Government Area office in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, was attacked at exactly 2 pm.
Reacting to the incident, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu, has reported that our local government area office in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, has been attacked and burnt down.
“The incident occurred at 2 pm today, Wednesday, 3rd July 2024, when the youths in the area, said to be protesting against the activities of bandits, attacked the facilities of government agencies, including INEC.
“Although no casualties were reported, the building has been extensively damaged. Office furniture and other movable and immovable materials, including 10 electric generators, 300 ballot boxes and 270 voting cubicles, were destroyed in the attack.”
Meanwhile, the government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), following the serious security breaches in the area.
Governor Hyacinth Alia announced the measure during a news briefing in Makurdi shortly after the State Security Council meeting.
Alia, represented by his deputy Sam Ode, said the curfew became imperative, “following the wanton destruction of government’s property and threats to lives in the area”.
He said the government was surprised by the grave security situation in the area, “which has led to the breakdown of law and order and wanton destruction of government property and threat to lives”.
He said that the curfew is to ensure the safety and protection of lives and property of the residents.
The governor, therefore, charged all the stakeholders and security agencies to take note of the measure and ensure strict compliance.
According to him, the curfew would take effect in and around Ukum for 24 hours, from 3pm on Wednesday to 3pm on Thursday, July 4.
“Thereafter, it will be from 6 pm to 6 am, beginning from Thursday, July 4, until further notice.
“This is the announcement from the Benue State Government’s seat of power,” the governor said.