Suspected political thugs on Friday night attacked the newly appointed media consultant to the Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bemgba Iortyom, in Makurdi, setting his car on fire during the assault.
The incident reportedly occurred less than 24 hours after the Benue PDP Secretary, Dan Nyikwagh, announced Iortyom’s appointment in a statement issued to journalists in the state capital.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Iortyom recounted how he narrowly escaped the attack, which took place along George Akume Way in the heart of Makurdi.
He explained that the attackers ambushed him while he was attempting to pull over to make a phone call.
According to him, the assailants—five in number—arrived on two motorcycles, blocked his vehicle, and advanced toward him carrying dangerous weapons.
“Last night on George Akume Way in Makurdi, I was attacked by unknown persons. I managed to escape, but my car, a Peugeot 406 saloon, was set ablaze and burnt to ashes,” he said.
Iortyom added that the attackers were armed with short axes and quickly surrounded his vehicle before carrying out the attack.
He credited his survival to quick thinking, which allowed him to escape before the assailants could harm him.
“I thank God Almighty for the quick thinking that helped me open the door of my car and run away before the hoodlums poured fuel on it and set it on fire,” he said.
After torching the vehicle, the attackers reportedly fled the scene on their motorcycles. Iortyom noted that although people nearby witnessed the incident, no one was able to intervene beyond urging him to run to safety.
He confirmed that the matter had been reported to the police and that an investigation was underway.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, confirmed that the case had been reported.
Edet said the police would carry out a thorough investigation into the attack, adding, “Since the victim has reported to the police, allow the police to proceed with their investigation.”