A power-drunk council chair in Benue State was filmed directing an assault on a mentally ill citizen.
In the Nigerian North Central, Vandeikya local government chairman in Benue State, Mr Guda Terkura Dennis, has openly engaged in molestation, abuse and leading a jungle justice against a citizen suffering from mental instability – otherwise known as madness in the country.
The chairman, Mr Dennis, was seen in a viral video acting as authority by commanding some persons believed to be his political gang or loyal group to physically assault a man identified as Lubem Achir Gube for having multiple keys in his possession.
The video, about 7 minutes long, exposes the insecurity persons battling with mental instability suffer in Nigeria, as medical bills in psychiatric hospitals rise above an average citizen’s, a situation that forces thousands to roam the streets, feeding on rotten food dumped in garbage disposal and sleeping in uncompleted houses, on the street or in the forest.
The hopeless victim is seen confused and traumatised as a restless situation triggered his mental instability while begging to be freed from slaps and beatings under the chairman’s command.
However, during the assault on the victim Luberm, the LGA chairman’s voice in the background could be heard saying, “Kwagh enrugh ga,” which translates to “You are just a criminal, disgusting as a madman,” accusing Luberm, the trapped ill victim, of being a thief.
The statement triggered a journalist, Mr Manasseh Mbachi, who shared the disturbing story to angrily condemn the act and tag it as a reflection of deep, dangerous ignorance and a disturbing abuse of power.
According to Manasseh, “This is not just about one man’s ignorance. In Tivland and many parts of Nigeria, mental health is deeply misunderstood. People battling psychological conditions are often called witches or wizards or accused of pretending to be mad to hide their so-called crimes. It is a sad reality that instead of receiving help, they are beaten, chained, tortured, and even killed.”
Missing for Years, Not a Criminal – Lubem Achir Gube’s Story
In a separate Facebook post, Shagba Zaki Orturan and Hyua Patrick Nyimkor attest to having known the victim for years while they were both in Samuel Ortom’s camp, the former governor of Benue State.
The duo shared that Lubem was a friend who wrote incredibly well and of good conduct before his health status changed.
In the account shared by both Orturan and Nyimkor, Daily Episode observed that the victim, Luberm, was an intelligent foot soldier of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
He was declared missing by friends and family in 2021, only for the video footage of him being molested by the local government chairman to draw attention and find him in terrible health conditions.
His sudden absence was a clear stance of his mental illness, which needs state actors and every active citizen’s support to live the life of his dreams.
For Benue, many condemned Mr Dennis’s act and called for authorities to respond in several pleas for rehabilitation.
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