PDP Chieftain Escapes Attack as Gunmen Burn Car in Makurdi

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Bemgba Iortyom, narrowly escaped death after suspected hoodlums attacked him and set his vehicle ablaze in Makurdi, the state capital.

The incident occurred on Friday night, just hours after Iortyom announced his appointment as Consultant on Media and Public Communications to the party in the state.

Iortyom, a former two-term State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, had earlier called on party stakeholders to support him in his new role, which he said was part of efforts to reclaim power in the state from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement announcing his appointment, he criticised the leadership of the state government, saying Benue 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.”

Recounting the incident, Iortyom said the attack occurred around 8 p.m. along George Akume Way in Makurdi while he was attempting to pull off the road to make a phone call.

“I was attacked by unknown persons at about 8 p.m. Though I managed to escape, my car, a Peugeot 406 saloon, was set ablaze and completely burnt,” he said.

According to him, about five attackers arrived on two motorcycles, blocked his path and advanced toward him armed with short axes.

“Because I was trying to park to make a phone call, they blocked my path and descended on me,” he said.

“I thank God for quick thinking which enabled me to open the door of the car and run away before the hoodlums poured fuel on it and set it ablaze.”

Iortyom said the attackers fled the scene on their motorcycles shortly after setting the vehicle on fire, while bystanders urged him to run to safety.

He added that the incident had been reported to the “E Division” of the Benue State Police Command and that investigations were ongoing.

The PDP chieftain warned that the attack reflected growing political tension in the state and urged security agencies to uphold their constitutional responsibility to protect citizens.