Hoodlums set fire on residence of ex-Benue gov, Aper Aku

The Gboko residence of the late former Benue State Governor, Aper Aku, has been engulfed in flames by hoodlums, according to reports.

Aku’s daughter, Deborah, revealed that the incident occurred on Monday, with all occupants safely evacuated from the building before the fire escalated.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi, the state capital, Deborah recounted the harrowing ordeal. She explained that the trouble began when a man wielding a cutlass arrived at the residence, threatening the occupants. He claimed that he had been informed his goat died after drinking water from the house, and he vowed to take action.

Deborah narrated the events of the attack, which unfolded between 7am and 8am on Monday. “They came around, numbering over 30. When we noticed that their visit was not friendly, we locked all the doors and called the Police,” she said.

“Before the Police could arrive, they started destroying the house, killed our dog, broke into the pig house, and stole all the pigs. They also vandalized our mother’s car,” Deborah continued.

Fortunately, the Police arrived swiftly and managed to rescue the six occupants before the hoodlums could harm them further. “We left with the Police with only what we were wearing. While we were on our way with the Police, the house was set ablaze, destroying everything inside,” she added.

Deborah expressed gratitude to the Police for their timely intervention, stating, “Yesterday (Monday) when the incident happened, the Police were only able to rescue us out of the house before it was burnt down. If not for them, we would have probably been trapped inside the house.”

She emphasized that they are now awaiting the Police investigation into the matter. Deborah mentioned that they have reported the incident to all relevant authorities, including the governor and the Speaker, as it occurred within the governor’s constituency.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident on Tuesday but noted that further details were pending at the time of her statement to journalists.