metro

Soldiers Avenging Colleague’s Murder Burn 70-Year-Old Man With His House in Cross River

Published

4 years ago

June 30, 2022

Kommy Offem, a public servant, has narrated how officers of the Nigerian Army burnt Cletus Ofem, her 70-year-old father, to death in his house in Nko, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Offem told FIJ that the soldiers stormed her father’s house at about 7 pm on Sunday, took the doors off their hinges and set the house ablaze with him inside.

She said there had been rumours that the soldiers would storm the village for reprisal attacks, but her father waved the thought off.

“When my parents knew the soldiers were coming, they packed some clothes to use in the coming days if they ran. Later, a chief advised them not to run away but lock themselves inside the house, which they did,” Offem told FIJ.

“Moments later, the soldiers started destroying people’s property, and my mother saw it first-hand. She told my father to leave, but he decided to stay back and lock himself in the house.”

Offem stated that her mother had to run for her life while her father, who had arthritis, stayed back in the house.

She said the soldiers broke through the windows and doors of the house but did not see anyone since her father had locked himself in his room before setting the building on fire.

“When they did not see anyone in the house, they set it on fire,” Offem said.

READ ALSO:

She stated that her mother was still running for her life when she saw a heap of smoke.

“She did not know the flame was from her house until it became so big that people were shouting,” she said.

“But as the soldiers left the immediate area and moved to another area, my mother came out only to realise that the burning house was her house.”

She said due to the circumstances surrounding his death, her her father was to be buried immediately, according to some traditional rites.

However, the soldiers prevented his burial from taking place until Wednesday, she said. The traditional rites were to be carried out by men alone, but the soldiers did not allow anyone to enter the house until Wednesday evening.

“Now, we have buried him. But apart from a generator, there was nothing left in the house and store. Whether they were burnt or stolen, no one knows,” she said.

Offem said that the soldiers were in her community to avenge the death of one of their comrades killed by the youths.

According to her, the Federal Government sent the soldiers to manage the age-old land crisis existing between her community and Onyadama community, but the Nko youths allegedly killed one of them.

“I heard that youths from my village allegedly shot a soldier. This is why they have been going about doing reprisal attacks,” she said.

FIJ learned that as of now, soldiers have killed at least 10 people and displaced several others in Nko community.

FIJ contacted Tope Aluko, the army spokesperson for Cross River, but she directed our reporter to a video clip of Lucky Irabor, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff , on the issue.

In an Arise TV programme held on Wednesday, Irabor said the soldiers did not destroy people’s property but tried to apprehend the youths who shot a commander of the army.

FIJ also called Onyema Nwachukwu, Nigerian Army’s spokesperson, but he did not answer them. He had also not replied to a text sent to him at press time.

Related Topics:Cross River Featured Murder soldiers

Up Next

UPDATED: Drama As Joe Igbokwe Pulls Down Post On ‘Wike Visiting Tinubu In France’

Don't Miss

Prosecutor Insists Ekweremadu Trafficked 15-Year-Old as Court Adjourns Until July 7

metro

Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation

Published

2 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation

Violence erupted on Monday in KuGompo City, Eastern Cape, South Africa, following the reported coronation of a Nigerian national as a traditional king, prompting the Nigerian High Commission to issue a 10-point safety advisory urging Nigerians in the country to prioritise safety and maintain a low profile.

According to the advisory titled “Advisory to All Nigerians Living in the Republic of South Africa,” citizens were urged to exercise caution, limit movement, avoid interactions with unfamiliar persons, and suspend socio-cultural activities to reduce the risk of becoming targets amid rising tensions. The circular also advised Nigerians to respect local laws and customs and refrain from posting inflammatory content on social media that could escalate the situation.

What began as a peaceful protest over the alleged installation of Solomon Eziko as Igwe Ndigbo quickly escalated. Videos and images of the coronation circulated widely, sparking anger among residents and civic groups. Protesters torched vehicles, vandalised properties, and clashed with law enforcement. Police reportedly deployed teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, while fire services worked to contain the blazes.

READ ALSO:

A man was stabbed during the unrest and taken to hospital. Authorities clarified that the victim was not linked to the demonstration, though some civic groups claimed one of their members was injured and also struck by a vehicle.

Several groups, including ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance, and the civic movement March and March, joined traditional leaders in condemning the alleged coronation as illegal and unconstitutional.

Athol Trollip, ActionSA Eastern Cape leader, said: “There is no constitutional provision for any foreigner, legal or illegal, to coronate themselves in the Eastern Cape. We support existing local kings, not Nigerian kings.”
Steve Motale, Patriotic Alliance spokesperson, said: “We condemn this fake coronation. Even the Nigerian High Commissioner has denounced it.”

The Royal House of AbaThembu also denied involvement, calling social media claims linking King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo to the coronation false and misleading.

The unrest follows recent anti-migrant protests in South Africa, where residents demanded stricter immigration policies targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals. Analysts say the protests reflect broader xenophobic tensions and concern over foreign influence on local traditional structures.

The Federal Government of Nigeria continues to monitor the situation closely, urging citizens in South Africa to remain law-abiding, cautious, and vigilant until stability returns.

Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation

metro

El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation

Published

3 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that security operatives planned to arrest his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, if he returned to Nigeria for their mother’s burial — reportedly as a tactic to pressure him into negotiations.

In a video statement, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said Bashir avoided attending the funeral to prevent detention. “My elder brother Bashir El-Rufai couldn’t make it because we learned there was a plan to arrest him… they believe if they get him, I will negotiate,” he revealed.

El-Rufai’s mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, passed away in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday. Her remains were flown to Abuja and buried on Sunday. The burial coincided with El-Rufai’s ongoing legal troubles, including his arrest and detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of corruption and money laundering.

READ ALSO:

The former governor was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge. His case was adjourned until March 31, 2026, for hearings on pending applications, including his bail request. He was granted temporary release from ICPC custody to attend his mother’s funeral.

Observers say El-Rufai’s claims highlight concerns over the alleged use of family members as leverage in political and legal disputes, sparking debate over the conduct of anti-graft agencies in Nigeria. Analysts also note the potential political implications as El-Rufai continues to assert his innocence and challenge the legal proceedings against him.

El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation

metro

Tinubu Appoints Senator Ibrahim Ida as CAC Chairman, Names Seven NPC Commissioners

Published

3 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Appoints Senator Ibrahim Ida as CAC Chairman, Names Seven NPC Commissioners

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major leadership reshuffle in key federal institutions, appointing Senator Ibrahim Ida as Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and nominating seven individuals to fill vacant Federal Commissioner positions at the National Population Commission (NPC). The move is aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, promoting good governance, and improving data-driven planning and corporate regulation across Nigeria.

Senator Dr. Ibrahim Ida holds a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Ibadan and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Abuja. Prior to his tenure in the Senate representing Katsina Central, he served as Commissioner of Finance in Katsina State and later as a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service. At CAC, he is expected to streamline company registration, enhance corporate governance, and boost investor confidence.

READ ALSO:

The seven nominees for the NPC are:

Kolawole Oladipupo Alabi (Ekiti State)
Nasiru Mu’azu (Zamfara State)
Usman Abubakar Tuggar (Bauchi State)
Dr. Isiaka Alada Yahaya (Kwara State)
Professor Sadiq Isah Radda (Katsina State)
Suleiman Umar (Jigawa State)
Honourable Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo (Sokoto State)

These nominees will support the NPC in population data collection, census planning, and demographic research, crucial for effective national policy formulation. Their appointments are subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.

In a related development, President Tinubu also appointed Bala Mohammed Bello as Special Adviser on Political Economy. Bello, a graduate of Accounting with an MBA from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, previously served as Deputy Governor (Corporate Services) at the Central Bank of Nigeria and as Executive Director at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank. Additionally, Dr. Yusuf Mohammed from Kano State was appointed Chairman of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo, a key institution for technical and vocational education in Gombe State.

President Tinubu expressed confidence in the appointees, emphasizing that their leadership will advance institutional reforms, enhance corporate regulation, and support data-driven governance, contributing to improved economic growth and service delivery across Nigeria.