– Gunshot aimed at the Governor’s PSA averted by divine intervention
-Bloodbath Averted by Onlookers
Terna Atem
25/03/2024
Thugs: A potentially violent and life threatening altercation was prevented at Casa vida Lounge, Makurdi, yesterday Sunday, March 25, as brave onlookers intervened in a tensed situation and averted bloodbath and possible lose of lives.
The incident is said to have unfolded when thugs, numbering over 50, under the watch, directive and supervision of the Senior Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Youth Mobilization, Hon. Moses Mkeenem, attacked two government officials, who are said to be his fellow appointees, and also of same Kwande Local Government origin.
The victims, identified as the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Solid Minerals, Forestry, and Mining, Hon. Stephen Uta, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Affairs, Hon. Aondosoo Mela, were at the lounge for a familiarization sit-out with some Kwande Youths and other associates when the ugly confrontation occurred.
The clash, according to some attendant at the lounge, initially sparked by a minor misunderstanding between Hon. Mkeenem and Hon. Mela Aondosoo, escalated quickly when Hon. Mkeenem brought some thugs via a phone call.
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The fierce-looking armed thugs, reacting on Hon. Mkeenem’s instructions, surrounded Hon. Mela’s vehicle while he was about taking his leave, and physically assaulted him until his Driver managed to zoom off with the vehicle following the intervention of onlookers and some of the Kwande Youths at the scene.
In an attempt to defuse the tensed and unfortunate situation, the PSA, Hon. Uta is said to have stepped in but was met with further aggression, where one of the thugs cocked a pistol and aimed at Hon. Uta.
How and why the gun shot didn’t knock Hon Uta down, according to various sources at the scene, remains a miracle, as most customers at the lounge it is said scampered for safety.
Multiple sources at the scene, who pleaded to remain anonymous, including some staff of Casa Vida lounge, has it that Hon. Mkeenem was unperturbed by the dangerous situation even when some persons went down on their knees begging him to call his thugs to order.
Confirming the eyewitness report, the SSA to the Governor on Politics, Hon. Mela, who suffered the attack, said he was going to report the matter formally to the Governor for necessary action.
Efforts to reach Hon. Mkeenem and Hon. Uta for their reactions and comments were unsuccessful as they didn’t pick calls nor returned the missed calls.
Also commenting on the matter when contacted, a youth leader in the state, who pleaded not to be mentioned, condemned the actions of Hon. Mkeenem, adding that the SSA was becoming notorious with his thugs who have been terrorising the state and promoting insecurity.
He further added that the same Hon. Mkeenem and his thugs were fingered in a cell-break at a Police Station in Makurdi where they released a suspect who was in Police custody.
As many continues to wonder how even the Governor’s appointees could be that fiercely attacked by his SSA on Youth Mobilization, It is imperative that the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, thoroughly investigates this shameful incident and overzealous misconduct of Hon. Moses Mkemnen.
His actions suggest a total disregard for law and order, where youths under his watch allegedly moves about freely with prohibited firearms and other dangerous weapons,as well as a lack of suitability for public office due to potential mental instability.
