The disappearance of two individuals, including a senior aide to Governor Hyacinth Alia, has heightened tension in Benue State.
Governor Alia’s Principal Special Assistant on Youth and Media Mobilisation, Atu Terver, popularly known as Krazy T, was reported missing on Tuesday while travelling between Makurdi and Abuja. Similarly, social media activist and government critic, Asom Jerry, has also been unaccounted for, sparking speculation about whether he was abducted or arrested by security operatives.
Terver’s wife, Civir, confirmed to journalists that her husband never arrived in Abuja as expected. “He left Makurdi on Tuesday to come and see us in Abuja, but he did not show up. The case was reported at the police station in Abuja, and they said they were investigating. As of today, I still don’t have any useful information about his whereabouts,” she said, adding that the state government had not reached out to her since his disappearance.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, stated that she had no information on the alleged arrest of Jerry and clarified that the disappearance of the governor’s aide occurred outside Benue State.
Meanwhile, the Austin Agada-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue has expressed concern over the situation. In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, the faction criticised Governor Alia’s silence, describing it as “disturbing.”
“The sudden disappearance of notable Benue citizens, including activist and fierce government critic, Asom Jerry, and the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Media Mobilisation, Atu Terver, has created deep fear and uncertainty among our people. These incidents strike at the heart of public trust in government and the security agencies mandated to protect citizens,” the statement read.
The silence of the state government on the matter continues to fuel anxiety, as families and communities await clarity on the fate of the missing individuals.