There is growing anxiety in Benue State following the reported disappearance of two prominent individuals: an aide to the state governor and a social media activist.1 The two men, who went missing in separate incidents, have sparked deep concern among their families, colleagues, and the general public.
The missing persons are:
- Atu Terver: Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Media Mobilization.2 According to his wife, Civir Terver, he left Makurdi on Tuesday, September 16, to travel to Abuja but never arrived. She has confirmed that a missing person report has been filed with the police in Abuja, and an investigation is underway.
- Asom Jerry: A social media activist and government critic whose disappearance has been trending online. While some reports suggest he may have been arrested by the police, his whereabouts remain officially unknown, and the Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, stated that she has no information regarding his alleged arrest.
The disappearance of these two individuals has drawn a reaction from the Austin Agada-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. In a statement, the faction criticized the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, for his perceived silence and inaction on the matter. The APC faction called on security agencies to intensify their search efforts and bring those responsible for the disappearances to justice.
As the police continue their investigation, the families and associates of both men are appealing for information from the public to help locate them. The incidents have also put a renewed focus on security and the safety of citizens, particularly those in the political and public sphere, in the state.
