Top PDP figure narrowly avoids fatal attack in Makurdi as vehicle is set ablaze just hours following recent promotion

A narrow escape from death was experienced by Mr. Bemgba Iortyom, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, after he was attacked by suspected hoodlums on Friday night in Makurdi, the state capital, and his car was set ablaze.

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This incident occurred just hours after Iortyom's appointment as Consultant on Media and Public Communications to the PDP in the state was announced, a role he described as part of the effort to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

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Iortyom, who previously served two terms as the party's State Publicity Secretary, had appealed to party stakeholders to support him in his new role, citing the need to rescue the state from the current leadership.

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In a statement announcing his appointment, Iortyom criticized the governor, stating that the state must be rescued from "certain crash and destruction" at the hands of a leader who lacks the necessary qualifications to lead the state safely.

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He emphasized that his new role is part of the effort to address this issue, saying "This is the task I have accepted to contribute to in my capacity as Consultant to the PDP on Media and Public Communications."

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Narrating his ordeal, Iortyom said the attack happened along George Akume Way in the heart of Makurdi town while he was attempting to pull off the road to make a phone call, and was attacked by unknown persons at about 8pm.

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He managed to escape, but his car, a Peugeot 406 salon, was set ablaze and burnt to ashes by the attackers, who were armed with short axes and arrived on two motorcycles.

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Iortyom credited his quick thinking for enabling him to escape the attack, saying "I give God Almighty the glory for quick thinking which enabled me to act fast by opening the door of my car and running away before the hoodlums poured fuel on the car and set it ablaze."

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The attackers then fled the scene on their motorcycles, leaving Iortyom to seek help from onlookers, who urged him to run to safety but did not intervene.

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Iortyom reported the incident to the "E Division" of the State Police Command, where investigations are ongoing, and alleged that the incident reflects the growing climate of political tension in the state.

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He called on security agencies to guarantee the safety of citizens, saying "Security agencies whose allegiance is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and not to any individual or group, must rise to their duty and guarantee the safety of citizens before people are left with no choice but to resort to self-help and a descent into lawlessness."

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The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment at the time of the report.