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Fresh herders’ attack claims 11 lives in Benue

Published

12 months ago

April 22, 2025

National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu

Fresh herders’ attack claims 11 lives in Benue

11 persons have been reportedly killed in a renewed attack on Afia community in the Ukum Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State.

This came as the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, lamented that President Bola Tinubu met a bad security situation and is working hard to fix the country.

Speaking at a meeting with the visiting NSA and selected stakeholders at the Benue Government House, Makurdi, the Ter Ukum, HRH Iyorkaa Kaave, disclosed that the marauders attacked Afia in the early hours of Tuesday.

He said “The armed herdsmen attacked Afia in the early hours of today, and 11 bodies have been recovered from that community so far, and we are still searching.

“Please tell President Tinubu that we will not live with murderers as herdsmen. These are not the herdsmen we used to know, who lived peacefully with us in the past.”

Addressing the gathering, Mallam Ribadu, who commiserated with the people over the killings, assured that the evil would be defeated.

He said: “We will defeat it. The entire country is with you. I commiserate with the Benue People and assure you this is a trying period for all of us, we are 100 per cent with you.

“We will confront it. Benue is an extremely important state in Nigeria. We must fight and maintain Benue as a peaceful state. “The Governor is doing well, and we will support him. It is unfortunate, but it happens sometimes.

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“Our armed forces are doing well. It is impossible to post soldiers or police to every hamlet. Give us the chance and stop politicising the killings. This will help us restore peace. The issue of security is relative.

“We inherited an extremely bad government, and things have improved, and we will address all these issues cropping up. It is a matter of time; to harm is easy, but solving it is difficult. We have considerably reduced the number of violent incidents we have encountered. This one, too, we will confront it.”

Governor Hyacinth Alia, who decried the activities of the marauders in the state since 2011, said the state was under siege.

According to him, “these people do not have any reason to live with normal people. We are faced with a series of losses of lives, farmlands and property. We have 17 IDP camps in the State. It becomes difficult to get our IDPS back to their ancestral homes.

“Sankera is our headquarters of food. The attacks have been persistent and continuous. Instead of a good Friday, we had a black Friday with venomous attacks on Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo LGAs

“It is quite devastating. It is telling on us. 72 lives lost. It is a terrible moment for us. I have always established contact with the NSA. Our security agencies have worked assiduously to curtail the attacks. We need help like yesterday. The President has been very supportive, and we hope that support will come.

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“We have bought 100 hilux vehicles to support conventional security agencies, and bought 600 motorcycles. This is a carnage. Attack is more of an onion layer, it is vicious. We ask that support be upped. We will collaborate with the Federal Government to stop the killings. What we are experiencing is a bare-faced attack as the attackers speak Fulani and Hausa. It is a troubling trend. It is a deliberate attempt, they disbalance the people, kill a good number of them and occupy.

“The attacks are under-reported. We are helpless. We do not have AK-47. We are defenceless. We tell the people to be law-abiding, and the attackers take advantage of this. We are not in a banana Republic.”

Meanwhile, the two paramount rulers of the State, the Tor Tiv VI, His Royal Majesty, James Ayatse and the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Dr. John Odogbo, Monday summoned a meeting of stakeholders of the two major tribes in the state to discuss the security challenges confronting the people.

The meeting summoned by the Tor Tiv, which was held at his palace in Gboko had in attendance prominent individuals of Tiv extraction, including Governor Alia, former Governors Sameul Ortom, Gabriel Suswam, serving Federal and State Assembly members, political appointees, leaders and stakeholders from the 14 Tiv-speaking LGAs of the state.

Though details of the meeting were not made public, the Tor Tiv expressed optimism that the attendance and commitment shown to the course of the Tiv people by the leaders were encouraging.

Similarly, the meeting summoned by the Och’Idoma, which was held in Otukpo, had in attendance prominent sons of the nine Idoma and Igede speaking people of the state.

It was reliably gathered that the meeting also discussed the recent armed herdsmen incursions in Idoma land and sundry issues.

Fresh herders’ attack claims 11 lives in Benue

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Boko Haram/ISWAP Attack Borno Police Station, Kill Four Officers, Hunter

Published

12 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Boko Haram/ISWAP Attack Borno Police Station, Kill Four Officers, Hunter

Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists have killed at least four police officers and a local hunter in coordinated attacks on security posts in Borno State, underscoring the persistent threat of insurgency in the region.

The attacks occurred in the early hours of Saturday, April 4, 2026, targeting the Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters and a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)/Hunters duty post at the Malam Fatori IDP Camp in Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area.

According to ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, Police Public Relations Officer in Borno, the Nganzai police station came under fire at about 1:00 a.m., with terrorists deploying Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and other sophisticated weapons in an attempt to overrun the town. Police officers, supported by the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Crack Squad, military personnel, CJTF members, and local hunters, engaged the insurgents in a fierce gun battle, ultimately repelling the attack and restoring normalcy.

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Despite the successful defense, four police personnel “paid the supreme price”, while a section of the police station was damaged, and an unserviceable Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was partially burnt.

Almost two hours later, at around 2:40 a.m., insurgents attacked the CJTF/hunters’ post at the entrance of the Malam Fatori IDP camp. One hunter, Atom Abua, 40, was killed, and about 20 thatched houses and properties were destroyed. Combined security teams prevented further loss of life and property.

Following the attacks, Commissioner of Police Naziru Abdulmajid deployed additional personnel and operational assets to the affected areas to strengthen security and prevent further incidents. He commended the bravery of officers and local defenders, extended condolences to the families of the deceased, and reassured the public of the command’s commitment to bringing the attackers to justice.

Security experts note that the attacks highlight the enduring insurgency threat in Borno State, where Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to target security installations and vulnerable communities despite ongoing counterterrorism operations. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.

Boko Haram/ISWAP Attack Borno Police Station, Kill Four Officers, Hunter

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NDLEA Arrests Lagos Pastor, Wife With 11kg Skunk Cannabis

Published

12 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Pastor Afolabi Hodonu and his wife, Mrs. Success Hodonu

NDLEA Arrests Lagos Pastor, Wife With 11kg Skunk Cannabis

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Lagos-based pastor and his wife after discovering 11 kilogrammes of skunk cannabis concealed in specially modified compartments of their vehicle.

The suspects, Pastor Afolabi Hodonu, 45, in charge of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, Sakpo area of Seme border, Badagry, and his 35-year-old wife, Mrs. Success Hodonu, were apprehended on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the Gbaji checkpoint along the Seme border, Lagos.

According to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the couple was intercepted during a search of their Honda Pilot SUV, where officers recovered blocks of highly potent skunk cannabis hidden in secret compartments. Babafemi revealed that the arrest was linked to a previous seizure on March 30, 2026, when a suspected fake security agent, Sunday Samuel, was caught transporting 24.5 kilogrammes of skunk through the same checkpoint. Subsequent investigations led to the pastor and his wife.

“The arrest of Pastor Hodonu and his wife is part of our ongoing intelligence-driven operations against drug traffickers hiding behind legitimate businesses, religious titles, or elaborate concealment methods,” Babafemi said.

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The NDLEA has also conducted several other operations across Nigeria, leading to:

Seizure of 3.10 kilogrammes of cocaine at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, hidden in tins of palm kernel extract bound for the UK, leading to multiple arrests, including syndicate leaders in Lagos.
Arrest of a female drug supplier in Borno State, 28-year-old Aisha Adamu, with 4.3 kilograms of Colorado cannabis linked to bandit groups operating in the North East.
Recovery of 48,000 tramadol pills in Adamawa State and 1,378 kilograms of skunk in a warehouse in Edo State.
Arrest of a suspected drug dealer in Ibadan using her 11-year-old daughter to distribute drugs.

NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers for the successful operations, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug networks nationwide regardless of the traffickers’ status.

The pastor and his wife are currently in NDLEA custody and will face prosecution as investigations continue. Authorities have warned that drug trafficking in Nigeria carries severe legal penalties and that no individual is above the law.

NDLEA Arrests Lagos Pastor, Wife With 11kg Skunk Cannabis

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Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega, Wife of Former INEC Chairman, Dies in Abuja

Published

13 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega and former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega

Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega, Wife of Former INEC Chairman, Dies in Abuja

Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega, wife of former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, has passed away in Abuja, officials confirmed on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

The news was announced by Bayero University Kano through its official social media channels.

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. With total submission to the will of Allah, we announce the passing of Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega,” the statement read, expressing sorrow and prayers for her family.

Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega

According to the university, her Janazah (funeral) prayer is scheduled to take place immediately after Zuhr prayers at the National Mosque, Abuja, on Sunday, with burial proceedings to follow.

The institution prayed that Allah grant her Aljannatul Firdaus, forgive her shortcomings, and give strength to her grieving family.

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The university’s Director of Public Affairs, Lamara Garba, also confirmed the death, urging the public to offer prayers and support to the Jega family.

“Yes, it’s true. May the Almighty Allah forgive her shortcomings and grant her family patience to bear this loss,” he said.

Hajiya Hadiza was widely respected for her contributions to education, community service, and support for her family, especially in northern Nigeria.

Her death has drawn condolences from friends, colleagues, and public figures across the country, highlighting her influence and the respect she commanded in social and academic circles.

Her husband, Prof. Attahiru Jega, is a distinguished academic and public servant, known for his tenure as chairman of INEC; president of Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) and his contributions to national policy and governance.

The passing of Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega marks a significant loss for both her family and the broader Nigerian academic and civic community, with funeral arrangements reflecting her standing and the high regard in which she was held.