The Ezza Ezekuna people in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State have raised an alarm over an illegal detention cell allegedly operated by the chairman, Mr Sunday Oche, through his supporters, called the Ezza Ezekuna Patriotic Front.

The Ezza Ezekuna people had petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the DSS, and the Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mrs Lami Danladi Ogenyi, drawing their attention to the ugly development.

Confirming the petition, the deputy speaker, at a press conference in Makurdi, acknowledged receiving the petition, saying she has already presented it before the House of Assembly.

The deputy speaker said the Ezza people cried to her seeking protection and justice, alleging that the group have been going from one Ezza-Ezekuna community to another, arresting innocent members of the communities illegally and collecting ransom of over N200,000 per victim.

She said, “They alleged that the victims are usually taken to a hideout in a forest where the cells are located, tortured with most of them sustaining several machete cuts on their bodies.

“One of the victims, Mrs Chinyere Ukoro, was detained, tortured, and raped serially. Even during her menstrual cycle, they were raping her.

“Another victim was captured, beaten to death in the presence of some chiefs, and buried in a shallow grave, and following serious public outcry, Mrs Ukoro was released alongside several victims.

“I received lots of petitions from my constituents addressed to the Department of State Security, DSS, and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP.

“I also raised a motion on the floor of the House calling for the suspension of the chairman, demanding that an investigation should be carried out on the issue as well as the alleged financial mismanagement.

The motion entitled ‘Motion calling for the immediate suspension of the chairman of Ado Local Government Council, Hon Sunday Oche, from office for 6 months for using his office to perpetuate criminal activities in the area’ read in part,

“That the House recommend the immediate suspension of Hon Sunday Oche and his Deputy, Hon Mrs Jane Ikese, from office for six months to allow for investigation without any interference.

“That the House set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the activities of the Chairman and his Deputy, and if found wanting, they should be recommended for impeachment by the Local Government Legislative Council (Councillors).

“That within the period of their suspension, the Leader of Ado Local Government Legislative Council should take over the affairs of the LGC in acting capacity.

“That all the network providers be directed to stop further payments to any private bank account other than the Local Government bank account with UBA branch in Igumale. They should also be ready to provide evidence of any previous payments to any bank accounts.

“That the police in Ado Division should immediately re-arrest those already released on the orders of Hon Sunday Oche (Chairman Ado LGA), for immediate arraignment in court for criminal charges,” she stated.

One of the victims, Mrs Angela Eze, while narrating her ordeal in the hands of her captors, said, “On the fateful day, a group of three persons stormed our house, abducted my husband, and took him to an undisclosed destination.

“The next day, I went and reported the incident to the chief of the community, demanding the whereabouts of my husband. But the chief told me to go as it is not a matter to be discussed with a woman. The following day, I saw the lifeless body of my husband in the compound, buried in a shallow grave.

“When I raised alarm over what happened to my husband, the Ezza Ezekuna Benue Development Association, EEBDA, warned me sternly to stop, or else the same treatment would be meted out to me.

“I am calling on the appropriate authority to intervene and bring the killers of my husband to book.”

Meanwhile, the Council Chairman, Engr Sunday Oche, has outrightly denied the allegation, describing it as pure blackmail aimed at discrediting his administration and tarnishing his image.

The Chairman, who spoke to journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, dismissed the allegation, saying there was no such group or any illegal cells operated in his local government.

Oche, who confirmed that a group of people in Ezza had petitioned the IGP and DSS, said that the petition was forwarded to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 4, Makurdi, who have carried out an investigation.

“Some chiefs were arrested in connection to the petition at Zone 4, Makurdi, but after investigation, they were released on Tuesday,” he said.

Oche also confirmed that the state assembly had invited him for investigation on the matter as well as on financial impropriety, saying the committee did not find him wanting.

The Chairman called on Ado people to continue to pray for him and the deputy speaker as well as all the leaders, insisting, “I call for peace. I don’t have anything against anyone, and we need to work together and build Ado. Let them keep appealing to whoever is aggrieved to sheathe their sword so that together we can build Ado LG and Benue at large.” (Daily Sun)