Tension is brewing in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State following allegations that the Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Benjamin Omale, is using military personnel to harass and intimidate residents.
Ohimini Patriots’ Forum, in a strongly worded petition to Governor Hyacinth Alia, accused Omale of turning soldiers into tools of political intimidation.
The petition, dated January 30, 2026, claimed that residents live in fear whenever the APC chieftain visits the area or attends party meetings.
“We are being threatened and harassed through the use of military personnel, especially during political events,” the group alleged.
According to the forum, the situation has become unbearable and is damaging the reputation of the state government and the Armed Forces.
They further alleged that Omale planned to deploy soldiers again during an APC stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for February 3, 2026, in Idekpa.
The group warned that such actions were capable of undermining democracy and discouraging political participation.
“We appeal to Governor Alia, as Chief Security Officer of the state, to urgently caution Chief Omale and withdraw his military escort in the interest of peace,” the petition stated.
The letter was signed by Shuaibu Suleiman and other ward leaders across Ohimini.
Copies were forwarded to top government officials and security agencies, including the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commissioner of Police.
Residents are now calling on the state government to act swiftly to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the area.
