By Chaingi Avese, Makurdi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has condemned the armed attack on Pastor Terwase Orbunde and members of his family by suspected Fulani herdsmen yesterday in Makurdi.
Pastor Orbunde, who served as the Chief of Staff to Governor Samuel Ortom from 2015 to 2022 is reported to have been attacked by the assailants in the evening hours at the Welfare Quarters Extension area of Makurdi where he and his wife, Mrs. Abigail Orbunde, went to inspect work on their farm.
A statement by Chief Bemgba Iortyom, PDP’s Benue State Publicity Secretary said, “suspected herdsmen said to be about 5 in number and armed with automatic weapons reportedly shot the former Chief of Staff in the arm before abducting Mrs. Orbunde and their maid, Ms. Patience Ogute, to an unknown destination”.
Pastor Orbunde who was left behind by his attackers apparently because of the wounds he sustained is said to have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
The AUTHORITY learnt that the abductors this morning spoke with him by phone demanding the sum of N100 million as ransom for Mrs. Orbunde and Ms. Ogute, threatening that failure to pay, will result in the death of the victims.
“PDP condemns this dastardly act in the strongest possible terms lamenting that it further highlights the worsening state of insecurity in the state, as it is now tragically obvious that no one is safe anywhere in Benue, including in Makurdi the state capital city”.
The party calls on Governor Hyacinth Alia to deploy the security vote at his disposal and the right level of political will to tackle the menace of insecurity in the state which is arrow-headed by Fulani herdsmen and bandits.
The PDP called on the governor to provide desperately needed logistical support to security agencies in the state to strengthen their hand towards enforcing the ban on open grazing being flagrantly violated by armed herdsmen and also curb the activities of bandits
PDP prays for the safe return of Mrs. Abigail Orbunde and the maid, Ms. Patience Ogute, while urging Governor Alia to spare no effort towards securing their freedom in hale and sound condition.
