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Farmer loses five children in boat mishap in Benue

Jos North Council Chairman kicks over land encroachment, warns against acts. By David Odama Executive Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council, John Kyohroh Christopher, has warned individuals and organizations constructing structures on the Council’s land to immediately desist from such. The Chairman who handed down the warning during an assessment visit to Jos North properties, ordered Pama Motors Adjacent Bauchi Junction to immediately halt further development. In a statement signed by the council Information officer, Philip Eplong, said the chairman who was in company of his Deputy Sani Garkuwa, alongside members of the Legislative Council and top government functionaries inspected properties including the Sarki Arab Primary Health Centre, Yan Doya,Yan Shanu and the old Pama motor park and Bauchi Road Clinic. The Chairman during the visit expressed disappointment with some individuals who embarked on construction in the Council’s land without consulting or seeking approval from the Local authority, noting that though there is synergy in governance, the consent of the council ought to be properly sought for. He emphasized that the land in question is the Council’s property and warned that any further development would not be tolerated. As part of the warning, the chairman also announced the closure of the Chacoal Market in Angwan Rukuba. According to him, the market will be rebuild to attract investors, retailers, and consumers, thereby boosting the council’s income. Deputy Chairman of the Council, Sani Garkuwa while speaking with the Information Unit of the Council after the visit, commended the chairman’s bold step, noting that the entire Council would support him to succeed. Garkuwa noted that the Chairman gesture is to enable government secure its properties from any form of encroachment. He urged individuals with structures on government lands to report to the council Secretariat immediately. The statement said the Council authority also had an interface with the Medical Supretendent of respective Clinics and business communities where he expressed the Council commitment to secure government properties and rehabilitate facilities and to rebuild the Market to further boost business activities. It however explained that visit by the Chairman was part of a broader effort to secure and develop the Local Government properties, boost revenue, and provide modern amenities to citizens. Adding that Christopher pledged his administration’s commitment to provide 21st-Century basic social amenities to ensure smooth and conducive business environments.

 

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

 

 

A farmer in Obagaji, Agatu Local Government Area (LGA), of Benue State has lost five of his children in a boat mishap.

 

A former Vice Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Anthony Ikwulono said the farmer had gone to the farm with his six children to harvest some crops last weekend when their boat capsized on their was back.

 

Our correspondent gathered that the small boat which was conveying them also had heavy loads on it making it to capsize in the river.

 

Ikwulono said the children have been buried on Saturday, October 5 2025.

 

Earlier, a local who identified himself as Ameh told newsmen on phone that when the boat mishap took place, a rescue team made up of local divers was immediately raised to go in search of the victims.

 

“But unfortunately five of the children lost their lives.’

 

He added that the incident has thrown the Obagaji community into mourning.

 

Confirming the incident, Chairman of Agatu local government, Melvin James said that seven people were on board the canoe when it capsized and five children died in the boat mishap.

 

According to him, “The man and six of his children had gone to the farm to harvest crops but on their way back home, the canoe conveying them capsized and they were drowned.

 

“Though, the canoe was overloaded which might have caused the mishap, but the father and one of the children survived.

 

The council boss said that the wife was not in the canoe when the incident happened.

 

While describing the incident as unfortunate, James extended his condolences to the family.

 

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Benue State Command DSP Udeme Edet could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

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