Angry youths stone, boo Gov Alia in Makurdi

Some youths have reportedly attacked the convoy of the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, in Ugondu community in Makurdi LGA of the state on Wednesday.

The youths from Ugondu community of Makurdi LGA of Benue, who pelted the governor’s convoy with stones, were protesting over plans to bury the proprietor of Vaatia College, Makurdi, Engr. Michael Vaatia within the school premises located in their community.

DAILY POST gathered that six of the protesting Ugondu youths were arrested by the police for throwing objects at the governor’s convoy.

Gov Alia had visited Vaatia College to assess the level of preparation for the burial of the deceased proprietor.

Engr Vaatia, who is the proprietor of the College, died a couple of days ago and is to be buried within the school premises on Thursday.

The angry youths from the host community of Ugondu allegedly invaded the school and destroyed the grave.

They were seen in large numbers chanting war songs when the governor was addressing leaders of the community in the school.

It was gathered that the said youths disrupted the proceedings as security escorts attempted to prevent them from accessing the school, while some of the governor’s entourage were trapped outside.

Sources said the youths allegedly fired gunshots into the air to scare people but were overpowered with the arrival of the police special unit, code-named Operation Zenda, and several of them were arrested.