Prince Aondona Isaka Ornguga, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-governor Samuel Ortom, has revealed that he lost 23 family members in the recent attacks in Benue State, all of whom were related to him through his maternal lineage.
Ornguga initially reported losing over 15 family members, but has now confirmed the higher death toll, questioning Governor Alia’s claim that only 59 people died in the attacks.
The ex-aide expressed deep sorrow and worry over the unending killings in the state, lamenting the loss of his cousins, Victor Utim and Mathew Iormba, whom he had spoken to just weeks before the attack.
Ornguga stated, “My family alone lost over 23 members and our governor is claiming that only 59 died. What is the governor hiding from us?”
He described the devastating impact of the attacks on his family, saying, “Iormba was a pharmacist. He had a tall dream, but look at how it all ended for them. And for Utim, this is not what we discussed.”
Truth Live News reports that the discrepancy in death toll claims has raised concerns about the government’s response to the crisis.