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Fear grips Kwara communities over influx of herders
Several communities in Kwara State are now reviewing their security strategies following the influx of herdsmen and their families from the neighbouring states of Oyo, Ekiti and Osun in the North-Central state.
The herders’ relocation arose from the ban on night grazing across the South-West, the quit order from government forest reserves in Ondo State, and the campaign against criminal herders in the Ibarapa area of Oyo State.
The ECOWAS Court of Justice, Abuja on Friday fixed April 12 for judgment in a suit filed by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) seeking “justice and accountability for the authorities’ failure to prevent, account for and investigate killings, raping, maiming of Nigerians and other residents, and destruction of property across the country by herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators.”
A panel of discussants also asked government to take decisive action on the incessant clashes between farmers and herders in the country before the situation degenerates.
Residents of Ifelodun, Irepodun and Isin local government areas of Kwara State, according to investigation, are currently taking stock of their security arrangements with a view to checking any threat to life and property following the relocation of herders to the localities.
A group, Omo Ibile Igbomina, an association of Igbomina people, said that six trailer loads of herders arrived in the area penultimate Friday alone, causing anxiety among the people.
He said that even before the arrival of the new comers, farmers had always been clashing with herders who seemed to take delight in taking their cattle to graze on farms.
Spokesman for the Omo Ibile Igbomina, Oni Martin, said, “Farming remains foremost of our economic activities that has become endangered, arising from mindless criminality, impunity and wanton destruction of crops and human lives right on our ancestral soil.
“We had a day when these gang of heartless strangers killed our people in broad day light on a particular market day in Oro-Ago town, for instance.
“We have series of reports of herdsmen chasing out our farmers out of their farms, for daring to challenge them for feeding their beasts with their source of living.
“Worrisome enough, the herdsmen have appeared to make it a vogue to array themselves with terribly sharpened cutlasses, assault walking sticks and of course assault rifles.
“This intimidation and threat appeared worse on the farms as these strangers exhibit no reservation to make their beast comfortable to the sorrow of our farmers even to the point of terminating lives.
“All of the above has been our routine experience and the herdsmen have taken over our forests and farmlands with our people living in fear of being kidnapped or hacked down.
“With the above background, the national body of Omo Ibile Igbomina with all has been on consultations in a bid to arrest the ugly development.”
Continuing, Martin said, “All of a sudden on the 29th of January, 2021, we heard the news of the arrival of an uninvited army of more dreaded herdsmen, more ferocious looking than those we had been trying to manage. They came in six trailers to Igbomina land.
“Thank God for the vigilant patriots who intercepted them at the wee-hour of the day at a point between Buari and Okerimi Oro.
“Our people’s reaction was spontaneous and responsible: the Women Farmers Association in Oro stormed the palace of the Oloro of Oro to find a lasting solution to the situation.
“These people who were driven out from the Southwest states of Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Oyo could not and will not be allowed to use any part of Igbomina land as their new abode. Igbomina will not concede an inch of her land to these unwanted visitors.
“In view of the above, it is our resolution that our community remains peaceful, law abiding but alert to security threats.
“Strangers should spontaneously be reported to our traditional rulers, and if unresolved, to the security agencies.
“Let our people go to the farm as a team and avoid staying late on the farm much less doing a lone ranger farming.”
Residents of Igbaja in Ifelodun local government area of the state also recently staged a peaceful protest at the palace of the traditional ruler of the ancient town, the Elesee, to draw attention to alleged intimidation and destruction of their farms by herders.
The head of the Fulani community in Igbaja, Mallam Abubakar Garba, said in an interview that some of the accusations were true, but implored the natives to be patient, saying deliberate efforts were being made to address the matter.
Garba expressed sadness over situation of security in the communities, calling for dialogue to ensure amicable resolution.
The state government also called for peace across the state.
Secretary to the State Government, Prof Mamman Sabbah Jubril, said, “In the light of some unfortunate developments in some neighbouring states, we urge our people not to entertain any fear as proactive measures have been, and are still being, taken to maintain peace and ensure security of lives and properties of every resident.
“The government is working with all the security agencies, directors of personnel management (DPMs) and the leadership of Miyetti Allah to strengthen the existing peace between various economic interests.”
He also said, “At the instance of His Excellency the Governor of Kwara State, the office of the SSG has held briefings with various stakeholders across the state on the need to ensure that all hands are on deck to protect lives and properties.
“The leadership of Miyetti Allah has also committed to disallow night grazing or cattle grazing by underage persons. Assisted by the security agencies, the DPMs across the 16 local government areas have been directed to work with local communities and legitimate herders to keep the peace.
“We therefore urge everyone to key into this peace building process and to avoid taking laws into their own hands or engage in activities that can undermine peaceful coexistence.”
FG using back channels to resolve crisis, says Lai Mohammed
Speaking on efforts by the Federal Government to resolve security challenge in the country, Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, said different approaches were being adopted.
One of such is what he called back channels; that is the use of a third party to broker peace.
He cited this week’s meeting between renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi, and bandits terrorising Zamfara State.
“When you want to resolve an issue like this, you use lots of back channels,” the minister said.
The minister spoke on TVC’s ‘This Morning’ show.
He added, “It is not unusual for a respected cleric to have the confidence of (approaching) outlaws or bandits.
“As a matter of fact, they are probably ready to listen to him more than they are ready to listen to the government. They are probably ready to believe him more.”
-The Nation
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Gunmen Storm Gbugbu in Kwara, Residents Flee as Panic Spreads
Gunmen Storm Gbugbu in Kwara, Residents Flee as Panic Spreads
Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State was thrown into panic on Sunday night after suspected gunmen launched a violent attack on Gbugbu community, firing indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee into bushes and nearby safe zones. The assault is the latest in a string of violent incidents deepening insecurity in Kwara and neighbouring areas.
According to witnesses, the gunmen stormed the town shortly after 8:00 p.m., opening fire and creating chaos. One resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The bandits stormed the community immediately after Isa’i, shooting non-stop and throwing residents into panic. Everyone ran indoors or fled into the bush.” As of the time of reporting, there were no official confirmations of casualties or the number of abducted residents.
The attack has heightened fears in Edu, Patigi, Ifelodun, and Oyun local government areas, where residents have reported rising attacks by armed groups in recent weeks. Days earlier, similar raids were reported in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama LGA, resulting in the killing and abduction of several villagers.
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While the Kwara State Police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, was unavailable for comments, local sources said security forces were mobilized to pursue the attackers and secure the community. Reports also indicate that some families spent the night outdoors, fearing a repeat of the violence.
The spate of attacks comes as the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, recently launched Joint Task Force Operation Savannah Shield to combat insecurity in Kwara and parts of Niger State. The operation aims to target terrorists, bandits, and criminal gangs responsible for kidnappings, armed raids, and killings in rural communities.
Community leaders and residents have called for urgent intervention by security agencies to rescue any abducted villagers, restore peace, and prevent further escalation of violence. Analysts warn that without sustained military and police engagement, armed attacks could spread further across the state, destabilizing vulnerable communities and hindering local development.
The incident in Gbugbu underscores the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s middle belt, where banditry and terrorism continue to disrupt livelihoods, schools, and local economies. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with security forces, and report suspicious movements in their communities.
Gunmen Storm Gbugbu in Kwara, Residents Flee as Panic Spreads
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FG to Launch Monthly Revenue Transparency Dashboards to Improve Fiscal Accountability
FG to Launch Monthly Revenue Transparency Dashboards to Improve Fiscal Accountability
The Federal Government (FG) has announced plans to launch monthly revenue transparency dashboards to enhance fiscal accountability and provide public visibility of government income and expenditure across the three tiers of government. The initiative was disclosed by Dr. Doris Uzoka‑Anite, the Minister of State for Finance and FAAC Chairman, during the recent Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja.
Dr. Uzoka‑Anite explained that the dashboards are necessary due to expected increases in government revenue following recent structural reforms, including a Presidential Executive Order (EO) on oil and gas revenue and expanded tax collections under the new Tax Act. These reforms are expected to significantly boost FAAC distributable funds, improve revenue discipline, and reduce leakages in the management of oil proceeds and tax inflows.
The planned dashboards will provide monthly, real-time access to detailed data on government revenue, including oil and gas receipts, tax collections, and other federal revenue streams. Citizens, policymakers, and analysts will be able to monitor allocations, track inflows, and scrutinize expenditure, promoting transparency and accountability across federal, state, and local governments.
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Dr. Uzoka‑Anite urged all tiers of government to prioritize capital expenditure over recurrent spending, invest in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and productive enterprises, and avoid unsustainable wage growth or consumption spikes. She also emphasized the importance of using incremental revenue inflows to reduce debt burdens, clear arrears responsibly, and fund growth-enhancing projects.
The minister highlighted that a portion of one-off payments from the EO on oil revenues could be retained in a Stabilisation Fund, released gradually to support macroeconomic stability and prevent excess liquidity from driving inflationary pressures. She further said that production-to-remittance reconciliation reporting and detailed reporting of incremental gains from tax reforms and EO-driven inflows would be implemented to improve fiscal monitoring.
“The revenue outlook is changing, and structural reforms are expected to materially strengthen Federation revenues,” Dr. Uzoka‑Anite told state finance commissioners. “Improved revenue performance requires improved fiscal coordination. A sudden liquidity injection across all tiers of government could create inflationary risks and reduce the real value of allocations. Structured mechanisms and phased disbursements are therefore critical to safeguard macroeconomic stability.”
The introduction of these monthly revenue dashboards aligns with the FG’s broader commitment to open data, fiscal transparency, and responsible revenue management, ensuring that rising inflows from oil, gas, and taxes are tracked, reconciled, and used efficiently to promote economic growth and stability across Nigeria.
FG to Launch Monthly Revenue Transparency Dashboards to Improve Fiscal Accountability
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Troops Repel Coordinated Attacks in Borno, Kill 25 Terrorists, Soldier Dies
Troops Repel Coordinated Attacks in Borno, Kill 25 Terrorists, Soldier Dies
Nigerian troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have killed 25 suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, lost one soldier, and wounded several others while repelling coordinated terrorist attacks in Limankara and Kukawa, Borno State, military sources confirmed. The intense clashes, which erupted on the night of February 20, 2026, underscore the growing pressure on insurgent camps, logistics networks, and leadership in the region.
Lt. Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of JTF OPHK, said that troops also conducted precision operations in Lamusheri Village, Gujba Local Government Area, a known terrorist hub and logistics base. Supported by air surveillance and intelligence gathering, troops destroyed defensive structures, neutralised 15 insurgents, and recovered or destroyed weapons, ammunition, and vehicles. Several militants fled with gunshot injuries.
Earlier, terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Limankara, but alert troops engaged them in a fierce firefight. Combined ground and air support forced the attackers to retreat, leaving behind casualties and abandoned equipment. No soldiers were injured during this engagement.
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In Kukawa, insurgents launched a multi-pronged assault using gun trucks, motorcycles, and foot soldiers, approaching from multiple axes. Troops mounted a determined defence, supported by air strikes, which destroyed a gun truck, five motorcycles, and neutralised ten additional fighters. Recovered items included rifles, loaded magazines, radios, stretchers, and shallow graves left by fleeing insurgents.
While one gallant soldier lost his life, others who sustained gunshot injuries are receiving treatment and are in stable condition, military sources said. Lt. Col. Uba commended the troops for their discipline, courage, and operational excellence, noting that the operations have significantly degraded the capacity of terrorist groups in the North-East.
The officer emphasized that sustained air-ground coordination continues to deny insurgents freedom of movement, disrupt logistics routes, and force them into chaotic withdrawals, enhancing the safety of local communities. Analysts say these operations reflect a growing reliance on intelligence-driven, technology-supported counter-terrorism strategies to dismantle insurgent networks in Borno State and the wider North-East region.
Troops Repel Coordinated Attacks in Borno, Kill 25 Terrorists, Soldier Dies
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