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Gunmen attacks Benue communities, kill 13

Published

4 months ago

July 16, 2024

Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Catherine Anene

Gunmen attacks Benue communities, kill 13

Makurdi—No fewer than 13 persons were feared dead and one other sustained injury in two separate attacks by suspected armed herdsmen in communities of Agatu and Gwer West Local Government Areas of Benue State.

In the attacks, 12 persons were said to have been killed Sunday evening in an unprovoked attack by the marauders at Egwuma village in Agatu LGA while another was killed at Tse Iyo in Sengev Council Ward of Gwer West LGA, same Sunday evening, where one person sustained injury and five others were declared missing.

The lawmaker representing Agatu state constituency, Mr. Godwin Edoh, who confirmed the attack, said the victims were killed when the armed men attacked the village Sunday evening.

The lawmaker, who lamented the ceaseless attacks on his constituents by armed herdsmen, appealed to the government to take decisive action to end the mindless killings.

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He said: “12 people were killed in the attack. We are tired and the problem is still there, that is why I am complaining. Government has to be decisive on what to do about the area.

“The communities are so porous. Ogbumogbo, Ejima and all those areas down to Ikpele, those villages have been deserted for close to one year. So, it is like a colony of herdsmen.

“What they do is that they come over with their cattles from morning and they stay there to graze until they want to go back.

“And they come back there anytime because the people have left the villages and nothing is being done about it.”

Meanwhile in Gwer West, a youth leader and survivor of the attack in Tse Iyo, who narrowly escaped death, Cheghza Igbasue said they were ambushed by the armedmen, while on their way from the farm.
According to a source in the area, “The armed herders attacked and killed 30-year-old Ikyumbu Aondowase while 45 years old Mr. Achin Terzungwe was badly wounded and taken to Naka, the LGA headquarters for treatment.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene said she received information that five persons were killed in the Agatu attack but yet to receive details of the Gwer West attack.

Gunmen attacks Benue communities, kill 13

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Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

Four people, including a soldier, were reportedly killed by suspected cultists in the North Bank area of Makurdi, Benue State, on Thursday and Friday.

Local sources revealed that the victims, including two young men and a soldier, were attacked late Friday night.

Another individual, believed to be a cultist, was killed in his home on Thursday.

Chairman of the vigilance group Operation Shara, Nura Umar, stated, “The soldier and two boys were innocent victims attacked by suspected cultists. The incidents occurred near the BIPC area.”

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However, police spokesperson Catherine Anene confirmed only one civilian death, adding, “Operatives have been deployed to address the situation.”

The area has seen a surge in rival cult clashes in recent weeks, raising concerns over public safety.

Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

metro

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Senator Ali Ndume and Daniel Bwala

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on Daniel Bwala, the newly appointed Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Tinubu, to apologize to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In a statement, Ndume attributed his plea to Bwala’s earlier criticism of Shettima’s selection as Tinubu’s running mate, a decision that led to Bwala’s exit from the APC over concerns about the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.

It should be recalled that Bwala, previously a spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, recently joined Tinubu’s team after being a vocal critic of the ruling party’s decision to present two Muslim candidates for the 2023 presidential election.

Bwala resigned from the APC in July 2022, condemning the party’s choice of Shettima as insensitive to Nigeria’s secular principles. At the time, he publicly opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket, sparking significant debate.

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In his statement, Ndume said, “I wish to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Daniel Bwala as his Special Adviser on Public Communication and Media. This gesture deserves serious applause, particularly in view of the roles played by Bwala in the recent past.”

Ndume praised Tinubu’s appointment as a move towards inclusivity and reconciliation, urging Bwala to work closely with Vice President Shettima. “You should work with the Vice President closely as your second principal to promote the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President,” Ndume advised.

He also encouraged Bwala to follow the example of key Tinubu allies such as Sunday Dare, Hadiza Bala Usman, and Bayo Onanuga, emphasizing the need for constructive advocacy. “These individuals defend and market Tinubu’s policies backed by facts and figures without being abusive or offensive. Bwala should adopt a similar approach,” Ndume stated.

Highlighting the importance of grassroots connection, Ndume added, “Charity begins at home. You must connect with the grassroots to ensure the administration’s message resonates with the people. I wish you success in your new assignment.”

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

metro

Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

The Supreme Court in Abuja has affirmed Oba Olatunji Kalejaiye’s removal from the throne, the Nloku of Iraye in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Apex court’s decision affirmed an earlier order of the Appeal Court asking Kalejaiye to stop parading himself as the Nloku of Iraye.

In the Supreme Court ruling delivered by Justice Uwani Musa Aba Aji, the Apex Court granted the application to strike out Kalejaiye’s appeal for lack of diligent prosecution, as prayed.

“Appeal number SC/CV11112022 is at this moment struck out for lack of diligent prosecution,”’ the Supreme Court ruled to end the embattled monarch’s troubled reign as Nloku of Iraye.

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Justices Habeeb Adewale Abiru, M.M. Saulawa, Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme, and Obande Festus Ogbuinya were with Justice Musa on the case.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State had in September 2022, halted the reign of the deposed Nloku of Iraye, Oba Kalejaiye, while ruling on the case (Appeal No: CA/1B/255/2015 Suit No: HCS/65/2019, an appeal filed by Kalejaiye against his deposition in 2015 by a State High Court sitting in Sagamu.

The Justices of the Appeal Court, led by Hon. Justice Moore A. A. Adumein, ruled that “the appeal lacked merit and is hereby dismissed. The Judgment of Hon. Justice Olugbenga Ogunfowora is hereby affirmed.”

Speaking on the Supreme Court judgment, Pa Olu Salau, head of the Sugbada royal family appreciated the Justices for doing justice to the matter brought before them in a brilliant, comprehensive, and incisive manner. He urged all parties in the dispute to accept the judgment as the will of God and the wishes of the good people of Iraye.