Plateau Residents Protest, Demand Removal of Herdsmen Ahead of Farming Season

Residents of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State on Monday staged a protest in Obagaji, the council headquarters, calling for the removal of Fulani herdsmen from their communities as the farming season approaches.

The demonstrators, who marched to the local government secretariat, carried placards and chanted slogans, including “Fulani must go,” to register their grievances over what they described as persistent insecurity in the area.

According to the protesters, the onset of the rainy season necessitates the commencement of planting activities. They expressed fears that the continued presence of herders and their cattle could result in the destruction of crops and trigger renewed clashes.

An eyewitness who spoke during the protest attributed the demonstration to ongoing security challenges linked to herdsmen activities.

“The protest is currently ongoing in Obagaji due to the persistent herdsmen crisis. They keep attacking and killing our people with sophisticated weapons. We can no longer access our farms or carry out farming activities,” the resident said.

He added that the community remains resolute despite the challenges. “We will continue to stand strong because this is our land,” he said.

The protesters maintained that herders must vacate farmlands to ensure a peaceful and productive farming season.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed that he had engaged with the protesting youths and community elders.

“I have spoken with the protesters and also met with the elders. Measures will be taken to address the situation,” he said.

Ejeh, however, declined to disclose specific security strategies, noting that such matters are sensitive.

“Security issues and actions are not things to be discussed in the public,” he added.

He reassured residents of ongoing efforts to maintain peace, stating that incidents of herders’ attacks in the area had reduced and that authorities would continue to work towards preventing any escalation of violence.

Plateau Residents Protest, Demand Removal of Herdsmen Ahead of Farming Season

Gunmen Kidnap Two Pregnant Women, Three Others in Sokoto Village 

Sokoto, Nigeria — Armed bandits have abducted five people, including two heavily pregnant women, during a violent attack on Maiwa Village in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The incident occurred on Saturday, March 28, 2026, raising fresh concerns about security in the region.

A local resident, speaking anonymously, said the attackers arrived on seven motorcycles around 5 p.m., firing shots into the air to intimidate villagers. Many residents had gathered at the mosque when the bandits struck.

“They came and met us at the mosque, and before they shot in the air, I ran toward the police post,” the source said. “But the police fled when two bandits pursued me on motorcycles. After I escaped, the attackers went into homes and abducted the victims.”

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The kidnapped victims have been identified as Sadiya Umar, Firdausi Umar, Maryam Musa, Ubaida Musa, and Harira Nura. Both Sadiya and Ubaida are reportedly heavily pregnant and due to deliver soon.

In addition to the kidnappings, the bandits rustled 12 cows from the village but later returned them. Following the attack, several residents fled to neighboring Niger Republic in fear but returned on Sunday morning.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Sokoto State Police Command proved unsuccessful, as the state spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, did not respond to calls or messages.

This attack underscores the persistent insecurity in northwestern Nigeria, where rural communities often face raids, abductions, and displacement due to bandit activity.

Gunmen Kidnap Two Pregnant Women, Three Others in Sokoto Village 

Debate as OPM Pastor Marries Autistic Man to Older Woman

The founder of Omega Power Ministries, Chibuzor Chinyere, has officiated the marriage of a young man living with Autism Spectrum Disorder to an older single woman, a development that has sparked widespread debate over consent, disability rights, and ethics in Nigeria.

The wedding, held on Sunday, March 29, followed days of intense backlash after the cleric made a viral appeal seeking a wife for the man, identified as Aboy Chibuzor.

According to the pastor, the groom—who lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder—was abandoned as a child at the church gate and has remained under his care. He explained that the man is non-verbal and dependent on assistance for daily activities, including feeding, bathing, and routine care, while his biological family remains unknown. Chinyere said the marriage was arranged to provide the man with companionship and long-term support, insisting that the intention was to improve his quality of life.

As part of the union, the pastor announced a series of financial and welfare packages for the couple, including a ₦10 million wedding gift, a house accommodation, and an overseas vacation, alongside a pledge of ₦20 million after 10 years. He also revealed that members of the church contributed additional financial support, further boosting the couple’s welfare.

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The marriage comes after significant criticism from members of the public who described the initial proposal as demeaning to women and ethically questionable. In response, the cleric issued an apology, stating he “can never degrade any woman,” while maintaining that his actions were driven by compassion and responsibility for the man under his care.

Following the wedding, the pastor expressed optimism, noting what he described as early progress in the groom’s condition, including the ability to feed himself independently. He also expressed faith that the man could eventually speak, attributing the changes to divine intervention.

Despite the pastor’s assurances, the development has continued to raise serious concerns among observers and experts, particularly around the capacity for informed consent, the power dynamics between caregiver and dependent, and the absence of independent medical or legal evaluation. Critics argue that while individuals with autism have the right to relationships, proper safeguards must be in place to prevent exploitation.

The incident has reignited national conversations about marriage rights for persons with disabilities, highlighting the need for clearer legal frameworks that balance autonomy with protection. As discussions continue, many stakeholders are calling for stronger oversight and guidelines to ensure that vulnerable individuals are not placed at risk under the guise of care or support.

Debate as OPM Pastor Marries Autistic Man to Older Woman