George Alli reacts as fire razes 18 houses in Benue community   

Rt. Hon. George Alli, on Thursday morning visited the scene of the fire incident which occurred at Akwete in Alan ward of Otukpo, following on Wednesday night to early hours of Thursday morning.

The fire which raised about 18 houses, including thatch houses, was said to have started when some unknown persons set grasses on fire. Strong harmattan aided the rapid spread of the fire into some of the compounds.

The Otukpo Local Government Chairman who was accompanied to the community by the Councillor representing Allan Ward at the Otukpo Legislative Assembly, Hon. James Akpala, said, “I heard about this unfortunate incident this morning and was greatly disturbed. So I quickly dressed up to come here to see things for myself and sympathize with those affected by the fire incident which destroyed your properties in this very difficult time. This type of thing shouldnt happen to anybody”.

Rt. Hon. Alli advised that people should always take precautionary steps to avoid possible fire outbreak by clearing their surroundings of all combustible materials that can speed up rapid fire during this harmattan season.

Some of the victims, including Mr Joseph Ogah and the chairman of the Community development committee, Mr. Sunday Igbor, whose house was also affected, thanked Hon. George Alli whom he said always responds promptly to their distress calls whenever they are in trouble. He prayed God to always bless and protect the Chairman and his family.