Benue Governor allegedly orders aides to beat up lady in church

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According to Daily Post, Idoko narrated how she was battered to a pulp by security men attached to Ortom at the Mercy Land Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Makurdi, the state capital, on Sunday, October 16, 2016, because she approached and begged him to make life easy for the poor.

Going by the report, the Governor was said to be one of the worshippers at the church and seizing the opportunity, Idoko had approached him and 'implored him to have mercy on the poor people in the state, particularly civil servants whom she said her mother was one of.'

Reportedly irked by the effrontery of the lady, Ortom allegedly signaled to his security details to take her away from his presence.

Blessing Idoko says she was battered by Gov. Ortom's security aides

Photo Credit: Daily Post

The overzealous security men, on taking the lady away, were said to have descended on her, beating her to a pulp and inflicted serious injuries on her.

However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Terver Akase, has debunked the story as being untrue and the handiwork of detractors.

While admitting that the Governor actually worshiped in the church, Akase said he did not order anyone to beat the woman.

“This is another desperate but failed attempt to tarnish the good image of Governor Samuel Ortom.

I saw the Facebook post and went outside the church to investigate and I discovered that the incident did not take place in the entire time that the Governor and his entourage spent during the thanksgiving service.

I asked every security person on duty within the church premises including those who accompanied the Governor.

I also inquired from other people who were outside the church who might have seen the reported beating but no one could confirm the incident.

If anything took place at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mercyland Parish where Governor Ortom worshiped today as reported, then such an incident occurred some hours before the Governor arrived, in which case, he cannot be blamed.

Governor Ortom did not order the beating or harassment of anyone at the church,” Akase concluded.

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But Idoko has insisted she was beaten up by Ortom's security details and would be contacting her lawyers to file a suit claiming damages from the Chief Executive of her state.