Senator representing Benue North-East Senatorial District, Emmanuel Memga Udende, has said thugs attacked his convoy and disrupted a church service he attended last Sunday alongside other worshipers at House of Solution Church of All Nations (HOSCOAN) Kpe Aya, Tsua Community in Mbagbera, Vandeikya Local Government area of Benue State.

Udende, who chairs the Senate committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, explained that before the end of the church service, thugs invaded the area and destroyed canopies and plastic chairs used during the service as he left the church and was making his way out of Vandeikya town.

In a statement issued by Udende’s media aide, Jerry Orgem Iorngaem, the sponsored political thugs stormed the church premises in five buses, chanting political songs.

Reacting to the incident, Chairman of Vandeikya Local Government Area, Dennis Terkura Guda, in a statement, accused the senator of the security breach witnessed in Vandeikya Township last Sunday during church service.

He also faulted Senator Udende for failing to officially notify him, in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the local government, or to obtain security clearance from the appropriate security agencies before embarking on the visit to Vandeikya local government.

Guda noted that such actions were inconsistent with established protocols guiding official visits by high-profile political figures, “A public figure of Senator Udende’s status is expected to formally notify the local government authorities, security agencies, and even party leadership before undertaking such a visit, particularly when we belong to the same political party.

The circumstances surrounding this visit, therefore, raise serious concerns about the motive behind it,” the chairman stated.

Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme did not respond or return calls put through her telephone over the incident.