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Christmas tragedy: Bandits attack Benue communities, kill 12, abduct 7 children

Published

1 year ago

December 26, 2024

Christmas tragedy: Bandits attack Benue communities, kill 12, abduct 7 children

Fear has gripped the residents of Yaav and Mbakyol council wards in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State after suspected armed bandits, believed to be herdsmen, invaded the communities on Christmas Day.

The attack claimed the lives of over 12 people and saw seven children abducted.

Lawrence Akerigba, a resident of the now-deserted Mbadura council ward, who has sought refuge in Jato-Aka, shared details of the tragedy in a phone conversation.

He revealed that the attackers abducted seven children, with the oldest being just six years old and the youngest only two.

According to him, “The attackers invaded Yaav and Mbakyol councill wards of Turan community at about 4pm when most residents were at home with their families enjoying the cool breeze of the yuletide, killing 12, injuring scores, and abducted children while others were still missing.

“On Christmas day evening, eight young boys who are also taking refuge in Jato-Aka town which is Yaav council wards were sent by their parents to bring some crops from the farm so as to prepare food for the family on the Boxing Day and on their way, they met the attackers who opened fire on them, killing one person while the remaining seven who escaped with gunshot injuries are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

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Akerigba also disclosed that there is sustained attack by bandits on the community after the burial of Wantaregh Paul Unongo, adding that out of the five council wards in the Turan community, four have been deserted for over 10 years due to sustained attacks by bandits suspected to be armed herdsmen.

“I am from Mbadura Council ward here in Turan Community of Kwande LG, but all of us have left our communities, we are now taking refuge in Jato-Aka town for fear of the unknown, and it seems the government has totally forgotten that his people are going through hell here, nobody is coming to our rescue, no relief materials, even as many were celebrating we were just hearing and the sudden attack on the already traumatised communities.

He said, “Our young people are combining the bushes around because as we talk now, many people are still missing including women and children, 9 corpses were picked at the scene of the attack while three were recovered from the surrounding bushes, search is still on and there is the likelihood that more corpses will be recovered.

“What we are calling for now is for the government to make our communities safe to enable us go back to our ancestral homes to continue with our farming to feed our families and pay our childrens school fees, because from all indications, it seems the security here are helpless. These bandits come with more sophisticated weapons, since yesterday 4pm and today almost 11am now no security personnel has come here to access the situation and give the people hope, those who lost their loved ones are just crying since yesterday

Akerigba gave the names of the slain victims to include Vanen Iorvihi, Mike Azege, Anyisa Akpa, Ausa Imbior, orwua Abur Hwande,.Iornumbe Tse, Zaki Ashivor Mbailuve Tyohemba,Terhemba Tyohemba Jim Ierkwagh and Ijeyol Ierkwagh.

He however said the number was still counting, adding that the search team was still searching for those missing in the bush.

Efforts to speak with the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene proved abortive as she was neither replying to text messages nor picking calls.

Christmas tragedy: Bandits attack Benue communities, kill 12, abduct 7 children

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Court Orders Accelerated Hearing of Suit Challenging 2025 Tax Acts, Declines Injunction

Published

1 hour ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Court Orders Accelerated Hearing of Suit Challenging 2025 Tax Acts, Declines Injunction

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Monday ordered an accelerated hearing of a suit challenging the 2025 tax acts, but declined to grant an interim injunction restraining their implementation.

The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of African Initiative for Abuse Public Trustees against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other key government officials, citing alleged discrepancies in the newly enacted tax laws and their proposed implementation date of January 1, 2026.

The respondents in the suit include the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the National Assembly.

In a motion ex parte, the plaintiff sought an interim injunction to restrain the Federal Government from implementing the tax laws pending the determination of the substantive suit. The applicant also requested an abridgment of time for the defendants to file their responses, approval for substituted service, and an order for accelerated hearing.

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Ruling on the application, Justice Bello Kawu, sitting as a vacation judge, granted the request for accelerated hearing and approved substituted service on the defendants.

The court ordered that the first and second defendants be served through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, while the fourth, fifth and sixth defendants are to be served via the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

However, the court declined to grant the interim injunction sought by the plaintiff, refusing to restrain the Federal Government and its agencies from proceeding with the implementation of the 2025 tax laws at this stage.

Justice Kawu directed that all defendants be put on notice and adjourned the matter to Wednesday, December 31, for the hearing of the motion on notice.

Court Orders Accelerated Hearing of Suit Challenging 2025 Tax Acts, Declines Injunction

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Amotekun Arrests 39 Suspected Terrorists Fleeing Sokoto After US Airstrikes

Published

2 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Paraded suspected criminals

Amotekun Arrests 39 Suspected Terrorists Fleeing Sokoto After US Airstrikes

The Ondo State security outfit, Amotekun, has arrested 39 suspected terrorists who reportedly fled Sokoto State following the Christmas Day airstrikes conducted by the United States military in Nigeria’s North-West.

Speaking during the parade of 100 suspects across the state, Amotekun Commander Chief Adetunji Adeleye said the 39 suspects claimed to have relocated to the forests of Ondo State after fleeing the northern part of the country.

“A couple of days ago, 39 suspects were arrested, all claiming that as a result of the heat turned on them in the northern part of the country, they relocated into the forest,” Adeleye said. “We are still profiling them, and after profiling, those found with incriminating equipment and materials will be prosecuted.”

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The commander emphasized that anyone residing in Ondo State forest areas must obtain official permits, warning that the sudden influx of such elements raises serious security concerns.

Adeleye further revealed that synergy with neighboring state security outfits, including Ekiti, Osun, and Ogun, has led to significant arrests. Some suspects are still under investigation and were not paraded.

Regarding other suspects, Adeleye disclosed that of the 100 arrested, 61 were paraded:

50 for general law and order violations
2 for anti-open grazing offences
6 for kidnapping-related cases
3 for gender-based abuse and rape

The suspects ranged in age from 18 to 45 years. On the rape cases, Adeleye identified three suspects: 19-year-old Daniel Ojo, 33-year-old Usman, and 41-year-old Bejide, arrested in the Isinkan area of Akure, the state capital.

He commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for providing an enabling environment for security operations and thanked all state security agencies, including the police, civil defense, army, DSS, and local vigilantes, as well as the public, for their support.

Amotekun Arrests 39 Suspected Terrorists Fleeing Sokoto After US Airstrikes

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Malami, Son, Wife Remanded Over ₦Billions Money Laundering Charges

Published

2 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN)

Malami, Son, Wife Remanded Over ₦Billions Money Laundering Charges

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing of his bail application.

The order also applies to Malami’s co-defendants — his son, Abubakar Malami, and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe. The directive came from Justice Emeka Nwite after hearing arguments from the defense led by Joseph Daudu (SAN) and the prosecution team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).

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Malami and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count money laundering charge. According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired to conceal, retain, and disguise the proceeds of unlawful activities totaling several billions of naira.

The charges reportedly span several years and include the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano, and other locations. Some of the offences allegedly occurred while Malami served as Attorney-General, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

The defendants pleaded not guilty. While the defense urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, the prosecution opposed it, citing the seriousness of the charges and the magnitude of the alleged financial crimes.

Legal observers describe the case as a high-profile anti-corruption trial in Nigeria, marking one of the most significant prosecutions involving a former chief law officer of the federation. The matter has been adjourned for the hearing and determination of the bail applications.