An abrupt suspension of a thanksgiving church service organized in honor of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, by the Caretaker Chairman of Guma Local Government Area in Benue State, Unongu Simon, has sparked anxiety across the state.
The service, which was scheduled for Sunday, was to be followed by a grand reception celebrating the SGF. However, in a statewide radio announcement, Unongu Simon directed the NKST Church in Daudu, the event’s host venue, to halt the service for security reasons. He emphasized that any public function in the area must receive official approval from his office to ensure safety and order.
Unongo’s directive has not been well-received by the event organizers, who have declared their intention to proceed with the thanksgiving service as planned. They maintain that no authority can obstruct their event.
Lazarus Asema, a member of the Central Planning Committee for the church service, reaffirmed that the event would take place at the NKST Church in Daudu, with no changes to the venue or timing.
Daudu, the host community, is located near Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. This area has been significantly impacted by herdsmen attacks on farming communities, leading to the establishment of an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp. The presence of the IDP camp underscores the region’s ongoing security challenges, which likely influenced the Caretaker Chairman’s decision.
