From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Hoodlums numbering over 30 on Monday burnt down the Gboko residence of the first Governor of Benue State, late Aper Aku.
The Police Public Relations’ Officer SP Catherine Anene confirmed the incident to newsmen on Tuesday in Makurdi.
Anene, however, said that no further details were available at the time of going to press, saying investigation is ongoing.
Daughter to the late Governor Miss Deborah Aku, said the Police managed to rescue six of them shortly before the hoodlums burnt the house.
She narrated that the whole issue started in March 2024 when one man came to their house with a cutlass and threatened to deal with them if his goat died again.
According to her the man claimed that his goat died after drinking water from their house.
She said her mother reported the incident to the Police Division in Gboko and the matter was later charged to court.
Miss Aku further said that the new attack started between 7- 8 am on Monday,adding that all the six occupants were trapped inside the house.
“The incident started about 7 to 8 am on Monday. They came around and didn’t talk to anyone numbering over 30. When we noticed that their visit was not friendly, we locked all the doors and called the Police.
“Before the Police could arrive, they started destroying the house, killed our dog, break into the pig house and catered away the pigs. They also destroyed our mother’s car.
“The Police arrived and were able to rescue us out of the house. We left with the Police with only what we were putting on. While we were on our way with the Police, the house was burnt with everything inside. The Police came in two trucks but the boys were many, they overpowered and even attacked the Police too.
“Yesterday, 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 burnt inside the house. We were six inside the house.”
