metro
Ground rent: FIRS personnel assault ministerial task force
Ground rent: FIRS personnel assault ministerial task force
Tensions flared in Abuja on Tuesday as members of the Ministerial Joint Task Force (MJTF) were reportedly attacked by staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Headquarters during an official operation to unseal the premises.
The incident occurred following the FCTA’s enforcement action on Monday, May 26, 2025, when the FIRS building was sealed over alleged non-payment of ground rent. The sealing was part of a broader initiative by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to clamp down on property owners who have failed to meet their statutory obligations.
However, in response to a presidential directive aimed at easing tensions, the MJTF returned on Tuesday to unseal the FIRS building and other affected properties, offering a 14-day grace period for defaulters to settle their outstanding payments.
Led by officials from the Development Control Department, and accompanied by armed police officers, civil defence personnel, and other enforcement agents, the MJTF team arrived at the FIRS premises and notified security personnel of their intention to remove the official seals.
However, they discovered that most of the seals had already been removed by FIRS staff, with only one remaining. It was during this process that the alleged assault on the task force members occurred.
Tensions escalated when security personnel and staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) reportedly locked the gates of the headquarters, trapping members of the Ministerial Joint Task Force (MJTF) inside and preventing their exit.
According to eyewitnesses, FIRS staff and security personnel then violently attacked the task force team—including police officers and civil defence operatives—leaving several officials with varying degrees of injuries. One of the victims was reportedly an aide to the Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima.
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Some civil defence and police officers were said to have had their uniforms torn, while others were physically assaulted and had their mobile phones forcibly seized.
Witnesses also claimed that the FIRS Chairman was present during the commotion but failed to intervene or restrain the agitated staff.
The situation was eventually brought under control after several hours, following the intervention of Director Mukhtar Galadima and a rescue team who rushed to the scene to de-escalate the violence.
Galadima, who rushed to the scene upon receiving reports of the assault, condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as completely unacceptable. He was seen making phone calls to relevant authorities to report the incident.
One of the victims who spoke to SaharaReporters described the conduct of the FIRS staff and security personnel as “ridiculous, absurd, unacceptable, and reprehensible.”
SaharaReporters also learned that Galadima, visibly angered by the incident, formally reported the matter to higher authorities, while the assaulted officials lodged a complaint at the Intelligence Response Team Police Station in Guzape for further investigation and appropriate action.
“The FIRS staff and security attacked us today. They beat us and injured many of the Ministerial Joint Task Force members. We started the unsealing of the properties that we sealed on Monday over non-payment of ground rent,” one of the victims said.
“We started from Wuse Zone 6, and we moved down to Zone 5, but we were attacked immediately when we entered their office. The security and staff of FIRS locked us up inside their building and started beating us.”
The source said, “Some of the civil defence officers had their clothes torn to shreds, and they almost stripped one of the officers naked. We were asked to seal up those owing ground rent, which we began yesterday. So we were instructed by the Director to go and unseal the nine to 10 buildings that we sealed on Monday
“They blocked the exit and entrance access, and they said we would not be allowed to leave. The angry staff and security personnel pounced on anyone there.
“They even seized some phones, especially from the ladies. They couldn’t take phone calls from the men as they struggled, but all to no avail.”
Ground rent: FIRS personnel assault ministerial task force
metro
Benue School Harassment: Authorities Investigate Assault on Female Student at Seat of Wisdom Aliade
Benue School Harassment: Authorities Investigate Assault on Female Student at Seat of Wisdom Aliade
Authorities in Benue State have launched an investigation following a disturbing incident at Seat of Wisdom Secondary School, Aliade, where a female student was reportedly harassed and assaulted by her peers. The event has raised serious concerns over student safety and supervision in the state’s schools.
According to preliminary reports, the victim, a female student at the school, was subjected to inappropriate treatment by a group of classmates while on school premises. The incident came to light after other students alerted the school authorities, prompting the administration to notify local law enforcement.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed that officers have begun a formal investigation. Police spokespersons said statements are being taken from witnesses, and the identities of those involved are being verified. Officials have emphasized that the safety and well-being of all students remain a top priority.
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School management has pledged full cooperation with authorities, stating that disciplinary measures will be taken against any student found responsible, while also offering counselling services for both the victim and other students affected by the incident. Parents and community leaders have condemned the act, describing it as unacceptable and a violation of students’ rights.
Child protection experts have stressed that incidents like this highlight the urgent need for robust safety policies, awareness programs, and reporting mechanisms within schools. They recommend that schools implement regular workshops on respect, personal boundaries, and peer conflict resolution to prevent future occurrences.
The case has sparked broader discussions across Benue State about the responsibilities of school administrators, teachers, and guardians in protecting students from harassment and ensuring a safe learning environment.
Authorities have assured the public that the investigation will be thorough, and anyone found culpable will face legal consequences in accordance with Nigerian law.
Benue School Harassment: Authorities Investigate Assault on Female Student at Seat of Wisdom Aliade
metro
Violent Protest in Ogoja After Man Allegedly Kills Girlfriend in Cross River
Violent Protest in Ogoja After Man Allegedly Kills Girlfriend in Cross River
Tension has gripped Ogoja following the alleged killing of a 26-year-old woman, Moshie Igu, by her boyfriend, sparking a violent protest in Cross River and renewed concerns over gender-based violence in Nigeria.
According to the Nigeria Police Force, the suspect, 35-year-old Malime Ejor, allegedly carried out the attack in the early hours of Saturday, March 28, 2026, at a farm in Nwang Village, Ekajuk community.
Police spokesperson Sunday Eitokpah disclosed that preliminary findings show the suspect reportedly lured the victim to a nearby stream, where he attacked her with a machete, leading to her death.
Operatives responded swiftly after the incident was reported, arresting the suspect and rescuing him from an attempted mob action by enraged youths at the scene. He is currently in custody, while arrangements are being made to deposit the victim’s remains at the General Hospital mortuary in Ogoja. The police further confirmed that the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Calabar for a thorough and discreet investigation.
The situation escalated on Monday when hundreds of women and youths from Nwang I & II and other parts of the Ekajuk clan staged a protest, demanding the release of the suspect. The demonstrators marched to the Area Command in Ogoja, but the protest soon turned violent, with some protesters attacking officers and vandalising property, including a vehicle and parts of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) facility.
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Security operatives were forced to deploy smoke canisters to disperse the crowd, while at least eight individuals were arrested in connection with the unrest. Authorities say the situation is now under control, and in a bid to ease tensions, those arrested during the protest were later released to a community leader.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to ensuring justice, stressing that the suspect remains in custody and will face due legal process. With the case set for transfer to SCID, authorities are expected to deepen investigations and prepare for prosecution.
The incident has sparked fresh conversations around femicide, domestic violence, and the increasing cases of relationship-related killings in Nigeria. Analysts warn that attempts by communities to interfere in criminal investigations—such as demanding the release of suspects—could undermine justice and embolden perpetrators.
Residents and stakeholders have been urged to remain calm and allow the law to take its course, as calls for justice for the victim continue to grow.
Violent Protest in Ogoja After Man Allegedly Kills Girlfriend in Cross River
metro
Gunmen Attack Wedding in Kaduna, Kill 13, Abduct Several Guests
Gunmen Attack Wedding in Kaduna, Kill 13, Abduct Several Guests
Suspected bandits have attacked a wedding ceremony in Kahir village, located in Kagarko Local Government Area, killing at least 13 people and abducting an unspecified number of guests.
The incident occurred late Sunday night in Kaduna State when heavily armed assailants reportedly stormed the venue and opened fire on attendees gathered for the celebration.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers arrived at about 11:47 p.m., shooting indiscriminately inside the wedding hall and causing widespread panic. A resident, Shehu Bala, said some guests sustained gunshot injuries during the assault.
According to reports, the gunmen operated for nearly an hour without resistance, leaving several casualties in their wake.
Injured victims were initially taken to Kagarko General Hospital, while those with critical injuries were later transferred to medical facilities in Kaduna for advanced treatment.
A community leader confirmed that 13 people lost their lives in the attack and have since been buried. He added that efforts are ongoing to ascertain the exact number of those abducted by the assailants.
The attackers were also said to have looted shops within the community, carting away food items, provisions, and drugs from a local chemist during the raid.
“The entire community was thrown into panic due to the heavy gunfire, forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes,” the community leader said.
Police authorities in Kagarko have confirmed the incident but stated that investigations are still ongoing, particularly regarding the number of abducted victims. The spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Hassan Mansur, also confirmed the attack, noting that a comprehensive report would be released upon conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, alongside a serving senator, visited injured victims receiving treatment at the hospital in Kagarko.
Gunmen Attack Wedding in Kaduna, Kill 13, Abduct Several Guests
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