Tears at Taraba mass burial of scores killed by suspected herders – Newstrends
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Tears at Taraba mass burial of scores killed by suspected herders

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Taraba police spokesman Abdullahi Usman

Tears at Taraba mass burial of scores killed by suspected herders

Tears reportedly flowed freely on Saturday as grieving residents of Munga Lalau and Munga Doso communities in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State buried scores of villagers killed by suspected herdsmen.

According to Sunday PUNCH, the communities were thrown into mourning after the assailants stormed the villages around 2am on Friday.

Eyewitnesses told the newspaper that the attackers, numbering over 50, invaded the villages on motorcycles and opened fire on sleeping residents.

“We have counted 42 bodies so far, with many still missing,” a soldier who participated in the rescue operation told Sunday PUNCH.

The Chairman of the Munga Youth Forum, Suleiman Joel, confirmed that many people were killed.

“We are still recovering the dead bodies, but I can tell you that the casualty figure is high. These are not isolated killings. It is a calculated extermination. People who returned to their homes based on security assurances have now been killed. What do we tell their families?” He asked.

Residents interviewed said the attackers, armed with AK-47 rifles and machetes, moved from house to house, burning homes and killing anyone in sight.

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“We didn’t know where to run to,” said Soja Emmanuel, a survivor. “They came around 2am, shooting sporadically. People jumped out of their homes into the bush. Some didn’t make it.”

During the burial on Saturday, some of the victims’ families were filled with sorrow as they recounted the way their relatives were killed.

A community leader, who lost two of his brothers in the attack, Augustine Munga, called for swift government intervention to end the bloodshed and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The mass burial took place here in Munga Lalau and was conducted by soldiers and other security personnel,” Munga added.

Another resident, who lost four relatives, suggested that the attackers were hired by herders to unleash mayhem on the communities.

“We all slept in the bush yesterday. The sound of gunshots that rent the air was beyond conventional herdsmen. We fled to the mountains and returned home this morning to see our houses razed,” he reportedly sobbed, struggling to utter words during a phone interview with the medium.

It also reported that a resident, Madam Sarah Bitrus, who lost her husband and two other family members, could barely speak .

She reportedly broke down in tears and said: “My world has ended.”

Tears at Taraba mass burial of scores killed by suspected herders

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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1 hour ago

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July 9, 2025

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

– No transit visa for 18-45-year-old

UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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3 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

The United States Department of State on Tuesday announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria said effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

The statement, however, said that those US non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.

The US was earlier considering imposing a visa ban on Nigeria.

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“We wish to underscore that, as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity,” the statement published on its website said.

The US visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of US immigration systems, it stressed, adding, “These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.

It said that the US Mission was working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria could meet the criteria.

“Nigerian travellers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date,” it said.

Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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3 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

Tragedy struck in the Choba area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over the weekend when a pregnant 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), identified as Cynthia Chukwundah, allegedly burnt her boyfriend, Sunny Amadi (32), to death.

While the exact circumstances leading to Cynthia’s actions are unclear, some neighbours told Daily Trust it might have resulted from a minor argument between the couple.

It was gathered that the deceased is the father of the child Cynthia is carrying.

Residents of the area reported that Cynthia, who fled the scene immediately after the incident, was later arrested by the police operatives and she is also receiving treatment for burns she sustained during the incident.

The incident, which occurred a few minutes after 11pm, saw some public-spirited neighbours rush the deceased to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment, where he unfortunately died.

The police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.

She stated that Cynthia is currently receiving treatment at a hospital due to injuries sustained during the incident.

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Due to her critical condition, she is currently unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so once her condition is stable.

SP Iringe-Koko’s statement read:

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a report depicting a fire incident that occurred at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, Port Harcourt.

“According to the report, one Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level female undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly set her boyfriend, one Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from Elibrada community in Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries.

‘’He was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment.

“Upon receiving the report at about 1112 hours, police detectives from Choba Division promptly visited the scene and the victim, who was in critical condition at the hospital. ‘’Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission.

“The police have located Cynthia, who is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital due to injuries she also sustained during the incident.

‘’She is also heavily pregnant with the deceased’s child. Due to her critical condition, she is unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so when her condition is stable.

“The probable cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained, and a thorough investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further developments will be made public as more information becomes available.”

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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