₦airaland Forum

The Police in Benue State have urged members of the public to disregard the information being circulated that four mosques were set ablaze in Makurdi metropolis by some hoodlums.

Also, the police said a similar information being circulated that another church was attacked by bandits at Agana village in Mbaloh Ward of Gwer East Local Government Area of the state was not true.

In a press statement issued yesternight by the command spokesman, ASP Moses Yamu, stated that, "these are nothing but falsehood, believably meant to cause break down of law and order in the state."

"It is indeed a difficult period. However, acts of insurgency being witnessed lately have nothing to do with religion, ethnic or political alienation. Therefore, in order to overcome the ongoing security challenges, the collaboration of all is required," the statement added.

Yamu further stated that the command appreciate the calmness and understanding of the resident in the state as he appealed that criminal elements should not be allowed to cause any civil disturbance to achieve their selfish interest.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/benue-state-police-debunks-rumuors-of-attacks-on-mosques-church/

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a captured president who has been reduced to offering condolences to Nigerians slaughtered by herdsmen.

He said the President has failure in firm action to stop the atrocities.

Fayose wondered why a retired Army General and a former military Head of State who contested and won election on the premises of providing security to the citizens have suddenly become lame duck.

The Governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi.

He said, “This is a killer government”, the governor said, adding that it is shameful that Nigerians are dying daily with Buhari clueless and incompetent to handle the crisis.

“It is beyond dispute that the Buhari administration has lost the battle against insurgency and the Fulani herdsmen. Buhari is helpless as he is reduced to offering condolences on a daily basis.

“Nigerians are dying on a daily basis. Innocent souls are being wasted by herdsmen and the Buhari administration has lost all moral right to continue in office. Why is he still sitting in office? Doing what, if I may ask”, he added.

He wondered that this was a government that lambasted the PDP administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for cluelessness.

He said, “ the same Jonathan administration era is now looking like the golden age of security of lives and properties in Nigeria”

“At no period since 1999 has life been this cheap. Life has become nasty, brutish, and short under the Buhari administration”, he said. Gov. Fayose also expressed misgivings about recent spate of controversial judgments by courts which he said gave the impression of collusion between unscrupulous judges and the Buhari administration to truncate democracy and lead the country into anarchy.

“The situation is getting so bad that we do not know whether the Constitution of the country has been unofficially suspended.

“Nigerians have been unlucky with Buhari as president. He is too old, too analogue, too incompetent, too clueless and is not ready to admit and yield for a competent leader. This country has never had it this bad. Gradually, Buhari is becoming a maximum ruler,” he added.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/gov-fayose-slams-president-buhari-over-herdsmen-killings/

The Christian Association of Nigeria has called for a national protest in reaction to the recent killings in Benue State.

In a statement by Adebayo Oladeji, the special assistant on media and communication to the CAN President, Samson Ayokunle, the association said the high rate of killings in the country is slowly turning Nigeria into a state of “anomie”.

The statement said the protest will be aimed at canvassing government’s increased commitment towards the release of abducted Dapchi student, Leah Sharibu, Chibok girls as well as other innocent Nigerians held captive by the Boko Haram terror group.

At least 19 people were killed during an early morning attack at Saint Ignatius Catholic church in Benue State on Tuesday, including two priests.

Several attacks by suspected herdsmen have left hundreds of people dead in various communities within the state and beyond.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday condemned the attack, describing it as “satanic”.

According to the statement however the Christian association is asking the federal government to increase efforts towards the arrest and prosecution of herdsmen, as a measure for curtailing the problem.

“CAN urges Christians in Nigeria to hold peaceful protest on the set aside date, in the premises of their churches asking the Federal Government and the security agencies to stop the unending killings and bloodshed in the country.

“Christians are to carry placards with inscriptions meant to address issues about sustained killings, attacks and destruction of their property in Nigeria. The inscriptions on placards could read, “Enough of bloodshed in Nigeria”, “Enough of unlawful killings in the country”, “FG, Release Leah Sharibu from the bondage”, “FG, Stop Herdsmen Killings”, “CAN rejects FG’s poor handling of insecurity”, etc.

“It also dedicates same day for prayers for the freedom and liberty of Leah Sharibu, the remaining Chibok Girls and others still in captivity of the Boko Haram terrorists. We are already at a breaking point and a state of anomie is almost here. ”

According to the statement, the killings have only persisted because of what the association describes as government’s inability to effectively arrest the situation.

“CAN notes that the failure of the government to raise an effective campaign against the killings by herdsmen is the reason they have continued to kill, while there is no visible plan to pacify the aggrieved.

“The Association also calls on the heads of the security agencies to wake up to their constitutional role of protecting lives and property across the federation while preventing Nigeria from descending into chaos and a lawless country.”

The association described the killings as inimical to the progress and unity of Nigeria.

“Lastly, it reminds Christians across the federation the importance of the forth coming general election and the need for them to fully participate this time, by trooping to obtain their voters cards with which to play a role in the emergence of new set of political leaders in Nigeria during next year’s elections who could guarantee their security and safety,” the statement highlighted.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/can-calls-for-national-protests-over-recent-killings-in-benue/

The Acting Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu, has declared that the state is currently under siege by insurgents.

Engr Abounu, who spoke yesterday after an emergency security meeting at his office, said Benue was at the moment under attack from all corners as insurgents had invaded the state, picking their targets at will and spilling blood everywhere.

The meeting followed Tuesday early morning attack by bandits, suspected to be herdsmen on Ayar Mbalom, Gwer West local government area and the killing of 19 persons, including two Catholic priests, who were officiating the morning mass at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Gwer East.

The Acting Governor, who described the day as a dark one for Benue state and its people, said, “The attack was a calculated one; well planned and well executed by the bandits who first attacked the church, killed the priests, a catechist and some parishioners, then went to a venue of a burial ceremony and killed some of the mourners.”

He said the attack on the church was a new dimension to the farmers/herdsmen crisis and one that needs a determined and appropriate response from the federal government and the security agencies the way insurgency in the North East is being tackled, adding that what they are experiencing today is insurgency.

The Acting Governor, who stated that the bandits, who numbered about 30 might still be lurking around the bushes directed the security agents to pursue them, flush them out of the area and get them apprehended so that they can be investigated to know the root causes of the killings.

He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, who has visited the area himself, has deployed his men to the area, the same thing as the Commander of the 72 Special Forces battalion who has also dispatched soldiers there.

While appealing for calm, he called on people of the state to be extra vigilant and to report any suspicious movement to the security agencies.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/benue-under-siege-by-insurgents-acting-governor-cries-out/

Makurdi, the capital of Benue State has been brought to a standstill by protesters over the ongoing killings in the state.

The protesters have taken over major streets of the state, calling on the federal government to come to their aide.

Over 100 persons have been killed between yesterday and today in Guma, Gwer and Logo areas of the state by suspected herdsmen.

According to report, the protesters, mostly women garbed in black attires are currently matching around the Bishop of Makurdi Dioceses house, weeping while singing corrosively, ‘Go and tell Buhari they are killing us.’

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/herdsmen-attack-protesters-shutdown-benue-over-killings/

suspected herdsmen, Tuesday morning attacked Ayar Mbalom village in Gwer East local Government Area of Benue State, killing 19 persons and burning down over 35 houses.

Among those killed were Rev Fathers Gor Joseph, Felix and many others.

The attackers also sacked the entire villagers.

Confirming the incident, Moses Iorapuu, Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi in a statement, called on the federal government to end the senseless killings in the state and the country at large.

He said the deceased were until their demise, serving at St. Ignatius Quasi Parish Ukpor-Mbalom.

“In their classic style, they burntdown homes, destroy food items and kill. The police seem to know nothing of the attacks which have been going on in other villages within Benue State since the Anti-Open Grazing Law came into effect last year,” Iorapuu Says

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/rev-father-17-others-killed-as-herdsmen-attack-benue/

No fewer than 15 persons have been killed while several others were injured after herdsmen invaded Uzughul, Tse Ginde, in Saghev council ward of Guma LGA, early hours of Saturday.

The attackers numbering over 20 set ablaze many shops and several houses, including that of one Dr. David Tsevende.

Sources in the village hinted our reporter that the attackers wearing military camouflage drove into the village in a white Hilux patrol van.

After gunning down some villagers, the gunmen reportedly carted away assorted food items belonging to traders and farmers in the community.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/15-killed-many-injured-as-herdsmen-attack-saghev-community-in-benue-state/

No fewer than six persons were feared killed and several others injured after fight broke out during the All Progressives Congress, APC, Benue South caucus meeting in Otukpo on Friday.

The fight broke out between some boys believed to be loyal to the current chairman of the party in the state and a senatorial aspirant, leading to the death six persons, including one Pastor Sam and several other persons badly injured.

Speaking on the development, the Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, Mr Obo Ukam Obo, said the police were aware of the meeting scheduled for Double K Resort and were shocked that some persons decided to forment trouble.

Mr. Obo said the Division had commenced investigation and that those found wanting will be apprehended and prosecuted.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/many-feared-dead-as-apc-caucus-meeting-in-otukpo-turns-bloody/

A 26-year-old woman simply identified as Divine was allegedly caught while stealing a six-week-old baby in Makurdi, Benue State.

Divine was said to have stolen the minor,Doochivir Ukeyima, at number 26 Tony Odu Street, Gyado Villa, Makurdi.

The suspect was trying to escape when a 10-year-old girl named Hembadoon Tersoo alerted the mother of the baby.

It was gathered that the mother of the child, Mrs. Doris Ukeyima, who was engaged in cleaning activities behind the house raised the alarm, which led to the arrest of the abductor.

Narrating the incident,the father of the child, Mr. Samuel told Punch that the incident happened on Thursday.

He said, “The lady came to the house through a bush path behind our house. My wife left the child alone in the house and was weeding the premises. The lady went straight into my apartment and carried the baby but unknown to her, a neighbour was watching her.

“It was the girl who alerted my wife and she raised the alarm leading to the arrest of the woman.”

The suspect is currently being detained at E Division, Makurdi.

When contacted on the incident, Benue State Command PPRO, ASP Moses Yamu, said, “I don’t have that report yet, I will have to find out.”

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/woman-allegedly-caught-while-stealing-a-baby-in-benue/

Reno Omokri, former aide to Ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan says Big Brother Naija 2018 housemate Cee-c is better than President Muhammadu Buhari.

Omokri made the remarks in reaction to a statement by Femi Adesina, where he defended Buhari’s controversial statement made at the Commonwealth Business Forum.

Buhari, while delivering a keynote address at the Commonwealth Business Forum in London yesterday, was quoted to have said that most Nigerian youths want everything free without doing anything.

But Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, clarified that his principal was referring to some Nigerian youths and not all.

Reacting, however, Omokri stated that Cee-c is better than Buhari because she realized her mistake and apologized, unlike the president.

He stated that the presidency should have apologised to Nigerians instead of issuing such ‘Imbecillic’ statement.

On his Twitter page, he wrote, “Cee-C is even better than Buhari. At least after insulting Tobi, she realized her error and apologized.

“Rather than apologize after calling Nigerian youths lazy, Buhari justifies it. If Cee-C is worthy of eviction, Buhari is thrice as worthy and should be evicted from Aso Rock!

“Instead of that imbecilic statement from @Femi Adesina that Buhari meant a lot of Nigerian youths are lazy but not all of them, what the Presidency should have done is just apologized to Nigeria’s youth.

” A weakness becomes a wickedness when you justify what you should apologize for.”

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/why-cee-c-of-big-brother-naija-is-better-than-president-buhari-reno-omokri/

Several persons have been reportedly killed, others declared missing while over 30 houses were razed after suspected herdsmen attacked Anyiin, Mbagber Council Ward in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Some heavily armed men invaded the community late last night and opened fire on the villagers.

The development forced many residents, who were already fast asleep to abandon their homes for fear of being killed by the attackers.

A source revealed that security operatives on ground, especially mobile police force swung into action and chased away the intruders after they had killed many residents.

“As we speak, over 25 persons have been killed while many are still missing. We are homeless at the moment. The government should come to our rescue,” the resident pleaded.

The resident said the attackers also attempted to set ablaze one T.T. Zozo’s Filling Station but failed.

Among those reportedly killed by the gunmen included one Mrs Terwase Osu, Uzenda, Chafu, Mbaya and several others.

Also, an aide to the governor, Ati Tekurla confirmed that over 30 houses were razed down in Anyiin, only last night.

Meanwhile, the police command is yet to react to the incident at the time of this report.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/many-killed-houses-razed-as-another-benue-community-comes-under-attack/

The Benue Proactive Initiative, a civil society group has condemned in strong terms what it tagged as the barbaric, wicked and malicious killing of a personnel of the Nigerian Army in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area of the State on Wednesday.

The state government, through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Titus Zam, said the attack followed,”the act of lawlessness perpetrated by some restive youths in Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State.”

He said some youths in Naka had attacked troops, who were on a peace-keeping mission in the area, thereby triggering reprisals from the army.

Reacting to the incident in a statement issued on Thursday night, Comrade Terkaa Jam, Convener, BPI, said the unfortunate incident was highly regrettable and condemnable.

Jam noted the soldiers deployed to Benue State on Peace keeping have been making frantic efforts to curtail the incessant crisis between herders and farmers in the country.

He said, “We wish to boldly attest to the fact that until last night when these restive youths decided to kill and bury an officer after disarming him, the people have had a very cordial relationship with the Nigerian Army and do appreciate all their efforts towards restoring peace to the various communities in the state.

“We understand that these acts were carried out by miscreants whose past time is cheap drugs and have nothing to offer the society and regrettable that this led to the burning down of houses by the soldiers who had once conducted themselves peacefully. As much as we submit that the anger was well understood, it is our desire that the military does not turn its table against us or stop being of immense assistance to us because of these criminal elements.

“The Benue Proactive Initiative wishes to make it abundantly clear that the action of these few disgruntled elements in the state doesn’t represent our relationship with the military neither does it portray our appreciation of their numerous sacrifices to the peace project in Benue State. It is therefore clear that the actions of the youths were aimed at jeopardizing the peace gradually returning to the local government.

“We extend our condolence to the President and Commander-in-Chief, the Nigerian Army and families of the deceased over the unfortunate incident, and also call on them to halt any action that may demonstrate the bitterness of the Nigerian Army and its Personnel towards the people.”

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/benue-group-condemns-the-killing-of-soldier-in-naka/

The Nigerian army says its soldiers on Monday killed four militia herdsmen in Guma local government area of Benue state.

In a statement on Tuesday, Texas Chukwu, army spokesman, said this followed a gun battle between the soldiers and the herdsmen.

He said troops of 72 special forces battalion had intercepted 20 militia herdsmen while on patrol at Teguma village in Guma.

“Four of the militia herdsmen were neutralised during the encounter while others fled following superior gun power,” the statement read.

“Items recovered include four AK 47 rifles, five 7.62mm rounds of ammunition and 28 rounds of 7.62 police special ammunition.

“The Nigerian army wishes to restate its commitment and determination to rid the country of criminals and enemies of state.”

This comes days after a herdsman was arrested with an AK-47 rifle in Enugu.

The herders have been fingered in various killings in some parts of the country, including Benue and Taraba.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/troops-kill-four-militia-herdsmen-recover-ak-47-rifles-in-benue/

At least one Nigerian police officer was killed and 11 others missing after gunmen opened fire on them in Benue Sunday night.

The slain officer was riding with his colleague from Anyibe to Ayilamo, both in Logo Local Government Area, when gunmen cornered them around 6:00 p.m., locals and a police officer disclosed.

Some officers who responded to the attack tried to go after the killers, only to run into a waiting ambush, locals said.

Eleven officers are missing from Logo LGA. These killers should be immmediately declared a terrorist group now. The resident says

At least one police truck was set alight, locals said.

Another resident said the remains of the officer had been deposited at a local government hospital in Ayilamo.

The incident wraps a week of deadly attacks that had left scores killed in Benue, including about 45 people on Wednesday alone. More than 1,000 people have been killed in similar attacks across the region this year alone.

No fewer than 15 police officers have been killed in Benue alone this year, in a wave of attacks whose perpetrators are becoming increasingly difficult to ascertain.

While residents across the north-central where the attacks are more pronounced insist the killers are herdsmen, President Muhammadu Buhari insists the tactics of the culprits made it difficult to categorise them as herdsmen.

The president’s position, however, differs from the views of some of his security chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police and Minister of Defence who say the attacks are direct consequences of new anti-open grazing laws in Benue and other states.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/one-killed-11-reportedly-missing-as-gunmen-open-fire-on-police-team-in-benue/

Locals in the latest communities attacked by suspected herdsmen in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State claimed on Friday that they had recovered 26 more bodies of victims of the attack that started on Wednesday.

They said the assailants, dressed in military uniform, killed about 15 people on Wednesday and maintained that the total number of people killed as a result of the attacks had risen to 67.

According to the residents, farmers in Akaanya, Tse Gbum, Kpete and Ulam communities, all in Ukum Local Government Area, on Friday, recovered 26 bodies of people killed by the attackers.

The attack was said to have followed a claim by the assailants that they were looking for their missing colleagues.

An aide to the chairman of the local government told Saturday Tribune on the condition of anonymity that the 26 corpses were only recovered on Friday morning.

“As of now, we have recovered 26 bodies. Yesterday, about 41 persons were killed in Jande Ikura, a community located between Benue and Taraba states. We learnt that during the attack on Jande Ikura that left 41 people dead, three bodies of some of the attackers dressed in military uniform were also recovered.

“Yesterday (Thursday), between 10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m., the same gunmen in army uniform went to some communities and started shooting and killing people, claiming they were looking for their fellow soldiers who were missing.

“They invaded Akaanya Tse Gbum, Kpete, which is a riverine area and Ulam, and killed the 26 persons there. Many people are still missing. These people came from Taraba to launch the attack,” he added

He said the gunmen, after the attacks, retreated to their base in Kente.

However, the state acting governor, Mr Benson Abounu, said he was yet to get any briefing on the incident from the council chairman.

“I am yet to be briefed of the casualty rate in Ukum. We have had a security meeting but nobody mentioned anything like that to me,” Abounu said.

The acting governor, who spoke to newsmen after the meeting on Friday said, “At the security meeting, we only emphasised the need for security in the state to be proactive rather than being reactive.

“What they (security men) have been doing is that they only go to repel attack and return instead of mounting checks at the flash points. With the previous strategy, sometimes the security men only got to scenes of attacks when the damage had already been done. So, we have asked them to change strategy and monitor the affected areas affected to forestall further attacks.”

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/benue-killings-26-more-corpses-recovered-in-the-state/

Shehu Sani, the Senator representing Kaduna Central has alleged that some governors were responsible for the mass murder executed by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of Nigeria.

The lawmaker in a series of tweets on his Twitter page, said Governors operating the policy of conditional cash transfer were the cause of herdsmen killings in the country.

Sani urged the federal government to treat such governors as a national security risk.

His tweets reads...

“The roots of Herdsmen mass murder and kidnappings in other parts of Nigeria is in the policy of ‘Paying Fulani Herdsmen’ by some Governors.They appeased a monster with public funds and now the monster is going door to door;Sahel,Savanna and mangrove forests.

“Any Governor of a state operating the policy of Conditional Cash transfer to Killer Herdsmen is their patron. And he must be seen and treated as a national security risk.”

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/governors-responsible-for-herdsmen-killings-in-nigeria-senator-shehu-sani/