By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

Young Idoma Professionals (YIP), has tasked the Benue State Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia, to be fair and just in awarding contracts for the well-publicised 500km of roads billed to be constructed in the state.

This is as the group stated that Zone C has a long history of marginalization and threaten to seek legal redress if the Idoma nation is sidelined even in the present administration.

In a press statement jointly signed and issued to newsmen in Kaduna by its conveners, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, Okpani Mike Odeh Akatu, and member Okpani Dickson Elaigwu, the group demanded for equitable distribution of road infrastructures across the state to avoid any issue that would cause chaos in the state.

YIP added that they have been watching with keen interest on the development in the state where a section of people continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy without due consideration for others.

Zone C according to the group contribute significantly to any candidate in every elections and therefore should not be treated with disdain when it comes to governance.

“We have been watching keenly with dismay that Zone C has been relegated in the scheme of things in the state, which shouldn’t be so.

“As such, we demand at least 40 per cent of those roads to be constructed with the expected loan be in Zone C.

“Although we are yet to see the list of the roads earmarked, we are sounding a note of warning that any attempts to shortchange Zone C will be resisted through every available legal means.” the statement said.

Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has expressed shock and sadness over the passing away of Elemure of Emure-Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo.

Oyebanji, in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described the royal father’s demise as a sad development, given the fact that he did not exhibit any sign of illness during the recent meeting of traditional rulers.

He described the late Oba Adebayo as a loving and dependable traditional ruler, who loved and cared for his people and showed tremendous interest in their welfare as well as the development of Emure-Ekiti.

Oyebanji condoled with the late monarch’s family, the Elemure-in-Council and the people of the town over the exit of the royal father.

He urged them to be consoled by the fact the late oba lived an impactful life of service to the town, the state, Nigeria and humanity in general, for which he would remain unforgettable.

“My condolences and that of the government of Ekiti State to the immediate family of the late Kabiyesi, the Elemure-in-Council and the good people of Emure-Ekiti on the demise of the Elemure, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo.

“The late Oba Adebayo was a great leader of his people, a lover of development and a patriot, who devoted his early life to the service of the country.

“As a police officer, he rose to the position of Commissioner of Police before ascending the throne of his forefathers, where he also made his mark as a traditional ruler, whose reign attracted huge development to his town.

“Our prayer is that the good Lord would grant the dear departed monarch eternal rest and comfort the family and the good people of Emure-Ekiti,” the governor said.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence  Corps (NSCDC) in Nasarawa,  says it has commenced investigation to unravel those behind the attack on its headquarters in Lafia.

Mr Jerry Victor,  the NSCDC Public Relations Officer in the state said  this in an interview with the newsmen on Tuesday in Lafia.

The unspecified number of suspected bandits attacked the NSCDC Lafia office in  the early hours of  June 17,  but were repelled by the personnel of the command.

Victor said that the state commandant of the corps, Ismaila Abdullahi, had  directed the Intelligent unit to get to the root of the attack with a view of apprehending the attackers, collaborators and sponsors.

He said  that those behind the attack would not escape justice as the command would go after them, no matter their status in the country.

Victor said that preliminary investigation  revealed that the bandits wanted to set some of their members at their custody free.

“They came in large numbers with iron rods and attempted to break some part of the command’s fence to gain entry into the facility.

“Our personnel swiftly responded by opening fire on the hoodlums, whose mission was to release some high-profile suspected criminals including informants of kidnappers in our custody,” he said.

Victor  said that the command had beefed up surveillance in and around their office to forestall future occurrence.