A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State, Bemgba Iortyom, narrowly escaped death on Friday night after suspected hoodlums attacked him and set his car on fire in Makurdi.
The attack occurred only a few hours after Iortyom publicly announced that he had been appointed Consultant on Media and Public Communications to the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
Iortyom, a well-known figure in the party, had earlier served two terms as the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Benue State. His new role was expected to involve strengthening the party’s communication strategy as it prepares for future political contests in the state.
According to Iortyom, the attack took place at about 8 p.m. along George Akume Way, one of the busy roads in the centre of Makurdi.
He said he had been driving when his phone rang, prompting him to look for a place to pull over and answer the call. It was during this moment that the attackers struck.
“I was attacked by unknown persons at about 8 p.m. and though I managed to escape, my car, a Peugeot 406 saloon, was set ablaze and burnt to ashes,” he said.
The PDP chieftain explained that the attackers were about five in number and arrived on two motorcycles. He said they quickly blocked his vehicle and attacked him with weapons.
“They came on two motorcycles and because I was in the process of clearing off the road to park and make a phone call, they blocked my path and, armed with short axes, descended on me,” he said.
Iortyom said he managed to escape because he acted quickly when he realised the danger he was in.
“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,” he explained.
He said the attackers then set the vehicle on fire and fled the scene on their motorcycles.
According to the politician, the attack happened in an area where some people were present, but fear prevented anyone from intervening.
He said passersby and residents nearby watched the incident but could not help because of the weapons carried by the attackers.
“They then mounted their bikes and went away as my shouts and calls for help yielded nothing, with onlookers witnessing the scene without anything to do other than urging me to run to safety,” he said.
By the time the attackers left, the Peugeot 406 car had already been engulfed in flames and was completely destroyed.
Iortyom said the incident had been reported to the “E Division” of the Benue State Police Command in Makurdi.
Police authorities are expected to begin investigations to identify the attackers and determine the motive behind the assault.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not released an official statement on the incident. However, the case is believed to be under investigation by officers of the division.
Earlier on Friday, Iortyom had released a statement announcing his appointment as Consultant on Media and Public Communications to the Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State.
In the statement, he called on party members and stakeholders to support him in his new role.
He said the appointment was part of the party’s plan to rebuild its political strength and work towards reclaiming leadership in the state from the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“The state must be rescued from certain crash and destruction at the hands of a governor who took the steering wheel of leadership without even a learner’s permit,” Iortyom said in the statement announcing his appointment.
“This is the task I have accepted to contribute to in my capacity as Consultant to the PDP on Media and Public Communications,” he added.
His remarks were widely interpreted as criticism of the current administration in the state, which is controlled by the All Progressives Congress.
Following the attack, Iortyom described the incident as a sign of rising political tension in Benue State.
He called on security agencies to carry out their duties without bias and ensure the protection of all citizens.
According to him, security institutions must remain loyal to the constitution and not to any individual or political interest.
“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,” he said.
He warned that if citizens lose confidence in the ability of security agencies to protect them, people might resort to protecting themselves, which could lead to lawlessness.
Politics in Benue State has often been marked by intense rivalry between the two major political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress.
For many years, the PDP dominated politics in the state before the APC gained power in recent election cycles.
Since then, both parties have been working to strengthen their influence ahead of future elections.
The attack on Iortyom has raised concern among political observers and residents in Makurdi, many of whom are worried about the safety of political actors and ordinary citizens.
Some residents have called on the police and other security agencies to quickly investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
Others have urged political leaders in the state to avoid actions or statements that could increase tension.
For now, Iortyom says he is grateful to be alive after the frightening experience.
He also expressed hope that the authorities will find those behind the attack and ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
