A Channels Television correspondent in Benue State, Mr Pius Angbo, was assaulted by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Alfred Berger, following tensions that arose during coverage of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government congress in Makurdi, the state capital.
Angbo explained that on February 21, 2026, he, alongside colleagues from AIT and Arise Television, covered an affirmation congress held in the Madikpo area of Wadata, Makurdi. The event was organised by a faction of the APC that is reportedly aligned with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
The coverage followed earlier reporting on February 20, 2026, at the APC state secretariat, where the caretaker committee chairman, Mr Benjamin Omale, oversaw the distribution of congress materials to the 23 local government areas.
According to Mr Angbo, shortly after the coverage, he received a phone call from the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, who expressed dissatisfaction with the report and questioned his presence at what was described as a parallel congress.
He said that Mr Berger warned him against filing the report and indicated he would report the matter to Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The Speaker reportedly asked the journalist: “Pius, why did you go to cover the meeting with few people organised by Audu Akange?” He thereafter warned: “If you file that report, I will report you to the governor. I will deal with you,”
However, the correspondent explained that moments later, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Tersoo Kula, contacted the journalist to inquire about the coverage, stating that the governor had raised concerns about reports of a parallel congress.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, Mr Bemdoo Ugber, subsequently reached out to Mr Angbo to seek clarification about the venue of the event.
After he explained that the congress took place in Madikpo, Wadata, and not at a private residence, the NUJ chairman conveyed an invitation from Mr Terhemen Tarzoo to discuss the matter.
Mr Angbo said that upon his arrival at StelaRose Hotel in the New GRA area of Makurdi, accompanied by the NUJ chairman, the Speaker confronted him and issued further threats, saying, “This is Makurdi, my turf, I will deal with you. Beat him up. Beat him up. Nonsense!”
The correspondent stated his explanation that his presence at the event was in line with his professional responsibility to report on matters of public interest was rebuffed by Mr Berger and his associates, who pounced on and physically assaulted him and used derogatory words against him.
He stated that the situation was eventually calmed following the intervention of Mr Tarzoo.
