Church service in Benue ends in a brawl as Sen. Udende, Council Chairman trade blame

By Johnson Arua

A church service attended by the Senator representing Benue North-East Senatorial District, Senator Emmanuel Udende, at the House of Solution Church of All Nations (HOSCOAN) in Tsua Community, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, on Sunday ended in controversy following conflicting accounts over an alleged security breach.

During the service, Senator Udende thanked God for His blessings and encouraged Christians to remain grateful, noting that he often attends church programmes when invited.

The General Superintendent of the church, Pastor Peter Kparevde, in his sermon urged leaders to govern with the fear of God and promote peace and inclusiveness.

However, after the service, Udende’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Jerry Iorngaem, alleged that the Chairman of Vandeikya LGA, Dennis Guda, accompanied by police and others, stormed the church premises chanting political slogans.

The statement claimed the group arrived in five Benue Links buses and damaged canopies and plastic chairs after the senator had left the town.

But in a separate statement, Guda denied the allegation, blaming the tension on the presence of unfamiliar youths carrying banners bearing the senator’s name.

He said their activities heightened tension in the community and created a security concern.

The chairman also faulted the senator for allegedly failing to notify local authorities and security agencies before visiting the area.

He said he mobilised the Divisional Police Officer and his men after receiving distress calls about a developing situation.

Guda added that he later met Udende at the church and advised him to leave due to rising tension, after which the senator was escorted by police to the boundary between Vandeikya and Kwande LGAs.

He dismissed reports that the senator was attacked by thugs as misleading, noting that he even supervised the repair of a vehicle in the senator’s convoy that broke down while leaving the area.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to comment on the incident.