The Deputy Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Lami Danladi-Ogenyi, has pointed out an illegal detention cell in Ezza in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.

Speaking with journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday, Mrs Danladi-Ogenyi said that the cell is being operated by some political stooges allegedly under the watch of council chairman, Sunday Oche.

She raised an alarm that the cell has become a threat to the life of people in Ezza.

She further stated that her constituents had already petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director of State Security Services just as she promised to ensure that peace reigns in the area.

The deputy speaker also said that she had raised a motion in the state assembly and the house had set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter.

She said, “Worried that if the Chairman, who is supposed to be the Chief Security Officer of the Area is now the chief operator of a criminal and illegal team terrorizing the very people he has sworn to protect is allowed to continue with his criminal activities, the whole council area may be consumed by this evil acts as the people in the Local Government are now living in perpetual fear.

“The people of Ezza, which is my constituency, had petitioned the IG, DSS, about the illegal detention cell. While in my capacity raised a motion in the house, and an ad hoc committee had been set up to investigate the matter.

“In the motion the deputy speaker raised before the house, she called for the suspension of the chairman and deputy chairman to pave the way for the investigation.

“That within the period of their suspension, the Leader of Ado Local government Legislative Council should take over the affairs of the LGC in acting capacity.

“That all the network providers be directed to stop further payments to any private bank account other than the Local Government bank account with the UBA branch in Igumale. They should also be ready to provide evidence of any previous payments to any bank accounts.

“That the police in Ado Division should immediately re-arrest those already released on the orders of Hon Sunday Oche (Chairman Ado LGA), for immediate arraignment in Court for criminal charges, I beg to so move.”

Reacting, the Chairman of the local government, Sunday Oche, who spoke to journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday, dismissed the allegation, saying that there was no such group or any detention cell in his council.

Confirming that some group in Ezza had petitioned the IG and DSS, Oche confirmed that the petition was forwarded to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 4, Makurdi.

According to him, some chiefs were arrested in connection with the petition at Zone 4, Makurdi, but after investigation, the chiefs were released on Tuesday.

On the motion at the state assembly, Oche confirmed that the house had invited him for an investigation on the matter as well as on financial impropriety, which he claimed that the committee did not find him wanting.

He further said that over 18 petitions had been written against him since his assumption of office in October 2024, and now, another one.