Prof Steve Ugbah Under Attack: Assistant Shot By Gunmen, Says Benue ACN

Another attempt to eliminate Prof Steve Torkuma Ugbah was executed
yesterday, September 30, 2011 at about 7:30pm at the premises of Mr.
Adaa Maagbe located at Benson Abounu Crescent, Hudco quarters,
Makurdi. The residence also serves as the abode of Prof Steve Torkuma
Ugbah, the ACN Governorship Candidate in the April 2011 general
elections in Benue State. The attack witnessed the shooting of an
Assistant to Prof Ugbah and is suspected to be the handiwork of
political opponents particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in
the State.

The gunmen on siting the victim, Mr. Aondoungwa Ashiekaa at Maagbe’s
gate, shot at him and escaped when he alerted the neigbourhood. The
incident was immediately reported at the Nigeria Police “B” Division,
Makurdi and the Police promptly rushed the victim to Federal Medical
Centre Apir where he is receiving treatment.

We are deeply worried that this trend of attempts on the life of our
Candidate, Prof Steve Ugbah has continued despite several reports we
have made to the security agencies in the State. It will be recalled
that the media Aide to Prof Steve Ugbah, Mr. Charles Ayede was
murdered in similar circumstances by yet to be identified gunmen at
Kadarko.

The party is particularly concerned at the spate of unresolved
killings in the state. When we raise alarm, the party is always
castigated for crying wolf where there is none.

We call on law enforcement agencies in the state to thoroughly
investigate this incident and bring the culprits to book. It is high
time will call on all well meaning sons and daughters of Benue to
denounce violence and thread the path of peace in resolving issues.
The ACN as a party will continue to abhor violence and seek
constitutional means of seeking redress.

The other day, civil society and organized market associations took to
the streets to peacefully demonstrate the miscarriage of justice in
Benue particularly as it affects the Governorship election. Instead of
addressing the needs and yearnings of these groups, the PDP-led
government issued a directive to the Police to arrest members of the
ACN and other innocent citizens who had nothing to do with the said
demonstration.

We call on our supporters to remain calm and law abiding as always and
wish to assure the general public that, an ACN government in Benue
State will put an end to all these killings by effectively engaging
the youth who serve as the tools for perpetrating violence in the
State.

Comrade Abba Yaro
ACN State Chairman.