Residents Flee as Armed Herders Kill Soldier, NSCDC Officer in Benue - Newstrends
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Residents Flee as Armed Herders Kill Soldier, NSCDC Officer in Benue

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Troops arrest suspected foreign ISIS operative after foiled ISWAP attack in Borno

Residents Flee as Armed Herders Kill Soldier, NSCDC Officer in Benue

Suspected armed herders have killed a Nigerian soldier and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Udeku community, Turan area of Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State, triggering fresh fears and mass displacement of residents.

A community leader, Mr. Lawrence Akerigba, confirmed the incident on Saturday, saying the deadly attack forced dozens of locals to flee their homes while commercial and social activities in the area came to a complete halt.

According to him, the slain security personnel were part of a joint team deployed to the area to maintain peace amid persistent attacks by suspected Fulani armed herders.

Sources told our correspondent that the officers were returning from Aga Market, where they had gone on a motorcycle to refill their cooking gas, when they encountered a roadblock mounted by the attackers.

“They were taken unawares. The gunmen opened fire immediately and killed them on the spot,” a source said.

Further accounts revealed that youths in the community quickly mobilised, combed nearby forests, and recovered the burnt bodies of the slain officers. The remains were later deposited at the mortuary in Jato Aka.

Residents also disclosed that the same group of armed herders had invaded the area the previous week, killing at least five farmers in separate attacks.

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A senior military officer attached to Operation Whirl Stroke, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident on Sunday.

“Yes, a soldier was killed, and he was an aircraftman,” the officer said.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the attack but clarified that no police officer was involved.

“No police officer was killed, but regrettably an officer from our sister agency did not make it,” Edet said.

Meanwhile, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Michael Ejelikwu, confirmed that two security personnel were killed during the ambush.

“At about 1500 hours on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Fulani militias attacked three security personnel attached to Operation Whirl Stroke and killed two of them at Udedeku, Maav-Ya, Mbakyor council ward of Kwande LGA,” he said.

Ejelikwu identified one of the deceased as CCA Tijani Idris, NSCDC service number 76691, of the Kaduna State Command, who was seconded to the Operation Whirl Stroke Joint Task Force.

Despite the incident, he said the NSCDC remains committed to combating insecurity across the country.

The latest attack comes amid rising violence in parts of Benue State, with killings of farmers and security personnel reportedly increasing following the US bombing of ISWAP facilities in Sokoto on December 25.

Meanwhile, traditional rulers and local government leaders have raised alarm over the growing incursion of bandits and armed groups into the state.

In separate interviews, HRH Daniel Abomtse, a traditional ruler in Gwer West LGA, and Mr. James Ejeh, Chairman of Agatu LGA, expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation and called for urgent intervention by security agencies.

Residents Flee as Armed Herders Kill Soldier, NSCDC Officer in Benue

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Tragedy in Lagos: Four Killed, 16 Injured as Container Truck Overturns on Bus

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Tragedy in Lagos: Four Killed, 16 Injured as Container Truck Overturns on Bus

 

LAGOS, NIGERIA – A devastating road accident occurred in Lagos on Tuesday, resulting in the tragic loss of four lives and leaving sixteen others severely injured after a containerized truck overturned onto a passenger bus.

 

The fatal incident, which has once again raised concerns about heavy-duty vehicle safety on Lagos roads, was confirmed in a report published on October 28, 2026.

 

According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations, the accident occurred when the driver of the articulated vehicle, reportedly laden with a heavy container, lost control. The truck subsequently tipped over, crashing directly onto a commercial bus filled with passengers.

 

Emergency responders, including officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), arrived swiftly at the scene to conduct rescue operations. Images from the scene depicted a harrowing sight, with the twisted wreckage of the bus trapped beneath the massive weight of the container, flanked by emergency personnel working to extricate victims.

 

Confirming the casualty figures, officials stated that four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while 16 others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured victims were promptly rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.

 

The incident caused significant traffic gridlock in the area as emergency teams worked for hours to clear the wreckage and restore the free flow of traffic.

 

Authorities have urged motorists, particularly heavy-duty truck drivers, to exercise extreme caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such catastrophic occurrences. Investigations into the exact cause of the brake failure or loss of control are currently ongoing.

 

This latest incident highlights the recurring danger of container trucks falling on vehicles in Lagos, a menace that has led to calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols for articulated vehicles within the state.

 

Tragedy in Lagos: Four Killed, 16 Injured as Container Truck Overturns on Bus

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“I Didn’t Insult Tinubu” – Makinde Refutes Sunday Igboho’s Allegations

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Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde

“I Didn’t Insult Tinubu” – Makinde Refutes Sunday Igboho’s Allegations

IBADAN — Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has outrightly dismissed claims by Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, accusing him of insulting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a recent public engagement.

The controversy stems from comments made by Governor Makinde during a town hall meeting in Ondo State, which triggered sharp criticism from Igboho, who claimed the governor was “jumping about” to disrespect the President.

Reacting to the allegations, Makinde clarified that his remarks were misconstrued and were never targeted at President Tinubu. The governor stressed that his observations during the Ondo event focused on national issues and governance rather than personal attacks on the Nigerian leader.

According to sources close to the administration, Governor Makinde reaffirmed his commitment to constructive engagement on national policies while maintaining due respect for the office of the President.

The exchange has since generated varied reactions across political and social media landscapes, highlighting the ongoing political dynamics between key South-West leaders ahead of upcoming regional developments.

 

“I Didn’t Insult Tinubu” – Makinde Refutes Sunday Igboho’s Allegations

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Okpebholo Links Attack on MC Porkupyne to Cult Activities, Denies Govt Involvement

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Atiku Condemns Attack on Edo Comedian Over Refusal to Support Tinubu
Benin-based comedian Osagie Idiedia, popularly known as MC Porkupyne,

Okpebholo Links Attack on MC Porkupyne to Cult Activities, Denies Govt Involvement

 

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has attributed the reported attack on Benin-based comedian Osagie Idiedia, popularly known as MC Porkupyne, to suspected cult-related activities, dismissing allegations linking his administration to the incident as fake news.

 

The governor made the remarks on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, while receiving members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, at the Government House in Benin City.

 

According to a report by Daily Post, Okpebholo said intelligence gathered by the state government suggested that the assault was connected to cult-related activities rather than any government-sponsored operation.

 

The comedian was reportedly attacked in the early hours of Saturday, October 24, while returning from the birthday celebration of the wife of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

The incident generated public reactions, including allegations of possible government involvement in the assault.

 

However, Okpebholo rejected the allegations, insisting that he was in Kaduna State when reports of the attack surfaced on social media.

 

“I heard the incident occurred at 1 a.m. I was in Kaduna State when I saw the incident on social media, and they attributed it to the government. This is fake news,” the governor said.

 

He explained that his administration’s intelligence gathering linked the incident to cult-related activities, although he did not publicly disclose specific evidence supporting that assessment.

 

The governor also questioned the circumstances surrounding the attack, particularly the comedian’s reported inability to identify his assailants.

 

According to Okpebholo, MC Porkupyne told him that the attackers wore masks and that he could not recognise them, although he reportedly put their number at eight.

 

The governor questioned how the comedian could count the number of people involved but remain unable to identify them, using the account to challenge allegations connecting the state government to the incident.

 

Okpebholo urged members of the public to exercise caution when consuming information circulated on social media, stressing the importance of relying on credible media reports and verified information.

 

Police Launch Investigation

 

The governor’s comments came after the Edo State Police Command announced an investigation into the reported assault.

 

In a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, the police said Commissioner of Police Patrick Daaor had ordered an immediate and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.

 

The police spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the command condemned violence, assault and unlawful attacks, assuring residents that the matter would be treated seriously.

 

The command also appealed to anyone with useful information about the incident to assist investigators, while urging residents to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed.

 

As of the reports cited, the police investigation was ongoing, and no publicly confirmed findings had established the identities of the attackers or independently verified the governor’s claim of a cult-related motive.

 

The incident has renewed attention on the safety of residents and the need for security agencies to establish the facts surrounding violent attacks in Edo State.

 

The outcome of the police investigation is expected to provide further clarity on the circumstances of the assault and whether those responsible can be identified and brought to justice.

 

 

Okpebholo Links Attack on MC Porkupyne to Cult Activities, Denies Govt Involvement

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