BAN slams Benue Govt over ‘insensitive’ response to attack on Bemgba Iortyom

 The Benue Advocacy Network (BAN) has faulted the Benue State Government over its reaction to the recent attack on social commentator, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, urging the administration to demonstrate empathy rather than ridicule.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its President, Enoch Bemshima Ortese, the group expressed concern over what it described as an insensitive response from officials of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration following the incident in which Iortyom’s vehicle was set ablaze by suspected hoodlums in Makurdi.

According to BAN, the attack, which occurred along George Akume Way, could have resulted in a fatality, noting that the appropriate response from government should have been to condemn the act and sympathise with the victim.

The group, however, criticised statements issued by the governor’s Technical Adviser on Media, Solomon Iorpev, and the Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, accusing them of trivialising the incident.

BAN alleged that rather than expressing concern, the officials resorted to mockery and insinuations about the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The group said the response of the government’s spokespersons was troubling and lacked the empathy expected from public officials when a citizen survives a violent incident.

“It is disturbing that instead of showing concern, the government’s response appeared to ridicule the victim and suggest conspiracy theories about the attack,” the statement said.

BAN warned that such reactions could send the wrong message to the public, particularly at a time when security concerns remain a major issue in the state.

The group also raised concerns about what it described as a growing pattern of intolerance towards criticism in the state’s political space, urging the government to embrace dissent as part of democratic engagement.

While expressing solidarity with Iortyom, the organisation called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice.

BAN stressed that allowing such an incident to go unpunished could embolden individuals who believe violence is an acceptable response to political disagreements.

The group therefore urged authorities to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves and ensure that the perpetrators are identified and prosecuted.