Arsonists early hours of Wednesday set ablaze the house of an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Usman Abubakar, popularly known as ‘Young Alhaji’.
Our correspondent reports that the house located in Otukpo town in Benue State was torched between 3am and 4am.
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By the time, residents gathered to contain the inferno, the security post and a part of the building had been razed to rubble.
A witness, Kole Aboje, said the fire might not be unconnected with the disagreement among party stalwarts of the APC in Benue South senatorial district over the choice of a running mate for the governorship candidate.
The running mate for the APC governorship candidate is expected to come from the district, a development said to be tearing apart chieftains of the party from the area over rumours making rounds alleged that a former minister had been penciled down for the position.
Some persons said a few days ago, Young Alhaji had erected a casket of APC at the front of his gate alongside a condolence register.
“The casket placed in front of his house, announcing the death of his party, APC, was burnt. A part of the house was also set ablaze.
“I don’t know why anybody should take party disagreement so far. If he decides to erect anything as part of expressing himself, why should another take offence?” Aboje queried.
Meanwhile, Young Alhaji confirmed the incident to our correspondent on telephone, noting that those who hated the truth were behind the arson.
“Yes. It happened around 3am. A section of my house and my security post have been burnt. They threw in a petrol bomb. It was done by people who don’t want truth,” he said.
Spokesperson of the Benue Police, SP Catherine Anene, said she was at a very noisy environment and would respond later.
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