Benue State is gripped with anxiety following the mysterious disappearance of two prominent individuals, including an aide to the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
At the centre of the growing worry is Atu Terver, the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Media Mobilisation. Terver was reported missing on Tuesday while traveling between Makurdi, the state capital, and Abuja. His wife, Mrs. Civir Terver, confirmed the unsettling news, stating that her husband left Makurdi with plans to visit them in Abuja, but he never arrived.
In an interview on Thursday, Mrs. Terver shared her distress, saying, “He left Makurdi on Tuesday and was coming to see us in Abuja but did not show up. The case was reported at the police station in Abuja, and they told us that they were investigating it. As of today, I am yet to get any useful information about his whereabouts.”
Mrs. Terver further revealed that, despite reaching out, she had not received any communication from the state government regarding her husband’s disappearance.
Meanwhile, a second individual, Asom Jerry, a social media activist, has also vanished, sparking speculation across online platforms. While some users have alleged that Jerry was arrested by the police, others suggest his location remains unknown. The Benue State Police Command, through its spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, clarified that it had no knowledge of Jerry’s alleged arrest. DSP Edet further pointed out that Terver’s disappearance happened outside Benue State, specifically in Abuja.
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In response to the growing public concern, the All Progressives Congress (APC) faction in Benue State, led by Austin Agada, has condemned the state government’s silence on the issue. The APC expressed deep concern, with a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, describing the disappearances 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, Atu Terver, has created deep fear and uncertainty among our people,” the statement read. The faction further criticized Governor Alia for his lack of response, urging the government to take swift action and provide the public with clear and credible information on the matter.
The APC called on the state government to “speak up, act responsibly, and provide credible information to reassure the people that their lives and rights are valued and protected.”
