BREAKING NEWS: 65 houses razed, scores injured as PDP supporters clash in Benue

ABOUT 65 houses were razed, yesterday, rendering many homeless with others injured as People’s Democratic Party, PDP, supporters clashed in Loko, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The latest crisis in Katsina-Ala is coming on the heels of moves by the people of Loko and PDP to recall Mrs Hembadon Amena representing Katsina-Ala West constituency in Benue State House of Assembly over alleged anti-party activities.
Vanguard gathered from an eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, that crisis erupted “when a supporter of the embattled lawmaker, Mr. Shiaondo Ukor, who is chairman of Motorcycle Hirers Association at the Daudu unit, allegedly accosted one Teryange, a commercial motorcycle rider and his employee.
“Ukor asked him to hand over the keys of his motorbike to him on the ground that he (Teryange) disrespected him by joining forces with some people to unseat Mrs. Amena.
“As the two argued to a point of exchanging blows, they attracted the attention of passers-by who joined the fray and the fight escalated.”
According to the source, Mr. Ukor was alleged to have moved with his supporters to the home of the youth leader of Ugber Mr. Aondoaseer Ornguze and razed down his house after beating up his family members.
The source said: “His action sparked a reprisal attack and further escalation of the fighting and burning down of the houses of notable and vocal members of the party in the area.
“The fighting is still on with many persons injured, while over 65 houses have been razed already, as I speak to you.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Daniel Ezeala, said he had received reports on the razing of thatched houses in the affected area last night, adding that he was still waiting for full details of the crisis.
On her part, Mrs. Amena confirmed the story, saying the trouble was caused by those who wanted to recall her for no just cause.
She said the matter had been reported to the Police in Katsina-Ala and Makurdi.
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BREAKING NEWS: FG Gives ASUU 1 Week Ultimatum To Call Off Strike

Today the Federal Government gave the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), one week ultimatum to call off the lingering lecturers' strike.
The acting Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja.
It was gathered  that the government has also ordered Vice Chancellors of Universities to declare the jobs of the striking lecturers vacant as from Wednesday, December 4.
Wike called the ongoing varsity teachers’ strike as “act of sabotage.”
“The continuation of the strike despite several meetings, especially with President Goodluck Jonathan is an attempt by the union to sabotage all efforts by government to address the issue," he said.
The minister disclosed that government has met all its commitments and obligations with respect to the agreement.
According to his words, government took the decision to reopen the universities following ASUU’s new conditions which are “not tenable. “
His words:

"On November 4, 2013 President Goodluck Jonathan met with ASUU executive, labour union leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), where all the issues were resolved and firm commitments made to address the lingering crisis. “It is noteworthy that Mr. President’s gesture was more than sufficient to guarantee the commitment of government to address all issues raised at the meeting with Mr. President.
"At the end of the meeting, the ASUU team promised to convene a meeting of its National Executive Committee to present the resolutions reached and report back by Friday November 8, 2013. It is unfortunate that while travelling to attend the NEC meeting in Kano, we lost a key member and former President of the union, Prof. Festus Iyayi.
"Government sympathizes with the family of the late Iyayi and ASUU. It is however amazing that three weeks after the meeting with Mr. President, ASUU responded by giving new conditions for suspending the five month old strike. I have never seen anywhere in any country where you sit down with Mr. President.
"That is the highest level of discussion. If you cannot believe Mr. President then who else will you believe?”
“Any academic staff who fails to resume on or before the 4th of December, 2013 automatically ceases to be a staff of the institution
“Vice-Chancellors are also directed to advertise vacancies (internal and external) in their institutions.
“The National Universities Commission is hereby directed to monitor the compliance of these directives by the various institutions.
“The Federal Government has met all its Commitment and obligations with respect to the FG/ASUU 2009 Agreement. We appeal to all stakeholders to appreciate the position of Government which is in the best interest of our dear country.”