₦airaland Forum

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday pledged that the killings in some parts of Nigeria would soon come to an end.

He said his administration was finding lasting solutions to the menace.

According to a statement by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke while receiving the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in London.

Buhari said the problem should not be seen from the point of view of religion, saying it was sociological and economic.

The President said, “The problem is older than us. It has always been there, but now made worse by the influx of gunmen from the Sahel region into different parts of the West African sub-region.

“These gunmen were trained and armed by Muammar Gadaffi of Libya. When he was killed, the gunmen escaped with their arms.

“Herdsmen that we used to know carried only sticks and maybe a cutlass to clear the way, but these ones now carry sophisticated weapons. The problem is not religious, but sociological and economic. But we are working on solutions.”

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/benue-killings-president-buhari-makes-fresh-promises/

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Tuesday told the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, to go home and use stones to defend themselves.

Ortom explained that he was tired of keeping IDPs in camps over the uncontrollable killings in the state.

He, therefore, charged residents to embrace self-defence.

The governor said this during his visit to the displaced persons after armed herdsmen attacked Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.

He said, “David in the Bible used ordinary stone to defeat his enemy, it is now time for you to stay at home and use the stone in your homes to defend yourself instead of running away.

“I believe in the rule of law, equity and fairness, but I cannot continue to keep IDPs and l can’t afford to have another IDPs in Gwer West. This must stop. We must stop truncating the future of our younger generation.

“When we allow laws to be violated and nobody takes action, it then allows for impunity and when you give room to impunity, it will result to anarchy which will in turn breed a lawless society.

“Therefore, we the citizens must rise up to support the security agencies by way of providing lawful and necessary logistics such as information, equipment and financial support to back up their operations.

“Just yesterday (Monday), a soldier was killed in Guma, security agents are not spared. Security challenges are enormous. The gruesome murder of 24 people by Fulani herdsmen is quite condemnable.

“Time has come if you are willing to live in Benue State, you must be ready and willing to be law abiding.”

The governor added that the state government was working with traditional rulers and other necessary organs of government to strengthen the vigilante team so as to give it full legal backing that would enable the group assist the security personnel in curbing criminal activities in the state.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/herdsmen-killings-gov-ortom-ask-benue-youths-to-defend-themselves-with-stones/

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has restated his call on security agencies to take proactive measures to stop further killings in the state.

His call came on the heels of reports of renewed armed Fulani herdsmen attacks and killings in several local government areas, including Guma, Logo, Kwande, Gwer West and Agatu.

The most recent and devastating of these attacks took place in Gwer West last week where more than 10 people lost their lives.

Ortom, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, condemned the fresh attacks on the people of the state and elsewhere in the country, describing them as barbaric, inhuman and unacceptable.

“Individuals, groups and communities should assist law enforcement agencies with information and other lawful support that would enable them to perform their duty of protecting lives and property of citizens by acting promptly on security reports and threats to peace.

“I want to restate the call on security agencies to take proactive measures to stop further killings in the state,” he said.

The governor said the state was not at war with any ethnic group and that no one should make inciting statements or resort to attacks against any group.

He appealed to the people not to condone or encourage acts of criminality from criminal elements who were out to perpetrate crime.

He said security agencies had been directed and supported to curb criminal activities and anyone found culpable would not be spared.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/gov-ortom-urges-security-agencies-to-stop-the-killings-in-benue/

The Police in Benue State yesterday arraigned 28 suspects at a Makurdi Magistrate court for their alleged involvement in last Saturday’s gruesome murder of 10 herders at Yelwata, a border town between Benue and Nasarawa states on the Makurdi- Lafia road.

The victims were said to be traveling from Awe in Nasarawa State for a wedding but unfortunately had a break-down in the town when the hoodlums pounced on them and killed them in cold blood.

State chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Mohammed Husseini, said the victims left Awe in the early hours of Saturday in a chartered bus and on getting to Yelwata town, they had a flat tyre and stopped to fix it, but suspected Tiv militia surrounded them and slaughtered them one after another.

He gave their names as Gambo Modoka, Lauru Hodi, Bogel Mainasara, Zakari Modoka, Hassan Mainasara, Gambo Mainasara, Ya’u Ori, Feuri Adamu, Khadija Rilwanu, as well as two kids whose names could not be ascertained.

Counsel to the complainants, Mr. Tijuana Ahmed appealed to Benue State Police command to urgently conclude investigations into the matter to allow timely determination of the matter which was adjourned to April 24 for commencement of definite hearing.

Reacting, Benue State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni confirmed the arraignment, stressing that it would serve as deterrent to anyone or group of persons who would contemplate taking the laws into their hands.

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom in a statement through his Adviser on Media and Publicity, Tahav Agerzua was quoted as appealing to security agencies to take steps to end the killings in the state. “Governor Ortom also condemned the attacks on passengers by hoodlums near Yelwata, along Lafia-Makurdi Highway. He commended the Police for switfly arresting some of the suspects for prosecution,” he said.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/court-arraigned-28-suspects-for-murder-of-10-herdsmen-in-benue/

According to report from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State has it that suspected herdsmen have slaughtered one Mr. Andrew Ataboh and his son at Innahim farm settlement. The incident happened Friday evening.

The source gathered that Ataboh of Okokolo ward and his son were abducted by the herdsmen in a farm settlement yesterday and their lifeless bodies were found by residents of the area after much search.

A resident of the area, who gave his name as Agaba, said the herdsmen, after matcheting the father and son to death, removed their vital organs and dumped their bodies in the bush.

The attack came barely one week after residents of the area cried out over invasion on their community by suspected heavily armed herdsmen.

When contacted, the Benue State Police PRO, ASP Moses Yamu, promised to get back.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/herdsmen-reportedly-slaughter-father-son-vital-organs-removed-in-agatu-benue/

The Police in Benue State, on Friday, said they have recovered 10 bodies suspected to be that of the victims of an attack, scattered around bushes in some villages in the state.

Fresh attacks were earlier reported in some communities in Benue State on Thursday night. The attack was carried out by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.

The Police in a statement signed by Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, said the bodies were found in the bush around Tse-Adudu and Enger villages in Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.

“Eight dead bodies were found in the bush around Tse-Audu and Enger villages in Gwer West local government. This is in addition to the two bodies that were removed from the same area on the same day.

“They were believed to be victims of armed bandits, suspected to be cross-border insurgents and cattle rustlers. The Mobile Police Force Unit deployed in Naka general area, had in the course of their patrols, encountered the same Insurgents,” the police said.

The police said security operations have been stepped up in the affected communities with reinforcement of the Police Special Forces to counter insurgency and criminal activities of the gunmen.

The police, therefore, asked members of the public to report any suspicious movement in their areas to security agencies.

Benue State has witnessed several conflicts involving farmers and herdsmen with increased killings since January 2018.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/herdsmen-killing-police-recover-10-corpses-in-benue-communities/

Benue state attorney general and commissioner of justice, Michael Gusa, explains the provisions of the law

Attorney general and commissioner of justice in Benue state, Michael Gusa, has stated that the law prohibiting open rearing and grazing of livestock, is meant to bring peace between farmers and herders in the state.

According to him, the law was also geared towards protecting the environment from open grazing. Quoting Section 3 of the law, he said it has adequate provisions to take care of the interests of the farmers and the livestock breeders, stressing that the Benue state government has not been bias towards any group before and after the law

He said: “Here in Benue state, our major mainstay of the economy is crop production, then you have a little of this livestock breeding in the state, and what has caused the problem overtime is when this cattle graze into the crop farmers farm and he complains, the next thing is the herders will come and attack and kill such a person with his family members.

“This has taken a great toll on the people of Benue state because it started as far back as 2011. Before the law was actually made, we had more than 47 attacks in Benue state and so many people were killed.

“So when Governor Ortom came into power, he wanted to put a stop to this incessant killings of farmers in the state. He now thought of making a law that will now protect the farmers and the herders.”

Gusa said the law is meant to give restrictions to the operations of both the farmers and the herders, adding that everyone was carried along through public hearings carried out in all senatorial districts of the state and its capital, Makurdi, by the Benue state House of Assembly.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/benue-attorney-general-give-more-explanation-on-the-states-anti-grazing-law/

Members of the House of Representatives from Benue State on Thursday raised the alarm over fresh killings by herdsmen in the state.

The lawmakers, who spoke at the National Assembly in Abuja, demanded full military presence in Benue communities constantly under attacks by herdsmen as against ad hoc operations such as the current Operation Cat Race.

For instance, between April 2 and 4, the lawmakers said, up to 24 persons were confirmed killed in renewed attacks in the state, while several others went missing.

The lawmakers again called on the Federal Government to declare the herdsmen as “terrorists.”

Four members, Mr. Dickson Takighir; Mr. Mark Terseer-Gbillah; Mr. Samuel Udende; and Mr. John Dyegh, who spoke for the Benue Caucus, alleged that some of the killings took place with no response from security agencies.

The lawmakers also described as strange the sudden termination of the Operation Cat Race in the state by the military, while it was extended by more weeks in neighbouring states, including Taraba.

Giving the details of the latest killings, Takighir said, “These latest attacks have occurred in Ikyon and Agasha on April 3 and April 4; in Semaka, Asom, Babanruwa on April 3 and in Udei and Umenger on April 2.

“They (killer herdsmen) are right now stationed at Nzorov council ward, ready to attack Gbajimba in the Guma Local Government Area. There are others in Nasarawa, ready to attack Udei and Daudu with over 14 people killed in the last four days.

“Similarly, Sengev, Mbakyondo and Mbapa areas of Gwer-West Local Government Area are currently under siege by armed herdsmen.

“In Tsegaase, two people have been killed; one person is missing in Zwatema, two killed in Tse Adeke, one killed in Tse Adudu with one missing in Tsekelefu.

“So far, we have yet to confirm the casualty level in Enger. On April 3, four people were killed in Anyebe and one person at Mbavihi both in Tonbo ward of Logo local government.”

The lawmakers stated that these killings took place despite the military Operation Cat Race.

Takighir said, “We are calling on the Federal Government to immediately explain to Benue indigenes and the Nigerian people why the Operation Cat Race has already been terminated in Benue without a resolution of the issue.

“We also demand that the government should deploy a proper military operation in Benue State and to also station military units in restive communities in Benue until the herdsmen menace has been dealt with.

“We urge the Federal Government to immediately declare these deadly herdsmen as terrorists in view of their inhuman, volatile and destructive activities. The international community should pay more attention to this ongoing pogrom of Benue people; we appeal for their intervention in the provision of aid to the over 190,000 internally displaced persons at different camps in Benue State.

“We believe it is only when these criminal and vicious elements are properly designated and treated as terrorists that the spate of killings will be put to rest.”

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/herdsmen-killed-24-in-fresh-benue-attack-reps-caucus/

The Benue State Caucus in the House of Representatives has cried out over withdrawal of soldiers, which they said has led to fresh attacks on communities where several persons were killed.

The lawmakers said during a press conference in Abuja yesterday that it was “suspicious” for government to withdraw personnel of the Operation Cat Race and deploy them to other states, when normalcy had not returned to the state.

Reading a prepared text, John Dyegh (APC, Benue) in company of three of his colleagues, said there was no evidence that security operatives had disarmed suspected killer herdsmen in the state.

He said, “We have cause once again to raise an alarm to the entire nation and the international community about the state of perpetual mourning that has been fostered upon the hapless citizens of our state by the endless and unhindered killing of our innocent and defenseless people by armed herdsmen.

“As it was with the New Year attacks, the herdsmen have been on rampage in several communities in Guma, Gwer-west and Logo LGA’S since the day after Easter killing and maiming women and children and destroying homes and farmland without any intervention by security operatives even though the federal governments exercise Cat Race or ‘Ayem A Kpatema’ is supposed to be in place.

“We are very seriously concerned and alarmed at the withdrawal of Personnel of exercise Cat Race from Benue when the herdsmen menace has not been curbed and the reasons for their continued deployment to other states in the region which has left Benue even more vulnerable and has paved the way for the recent despicable and premeditated attacks by the herdsmen in our communities.

“We view this decision as very suspicious, condemnable and ill-advised and leaves one to wonder about the military’s strategy or lack of it in the fight against the killer herdsmen. We are worried that there is still no evidence of the disarming of these killer herdsmen by the military, police or any other security agency…”

They challenged the Federal Government to immediately explain to Benue indigenes and the Nigerian people why the Cat Race exercise was terminated in the State without a resolution of the issue.

“We urge the federal government to immediately declare these deadly herdsmen as terrorists in view of their inhuman, volatile and destructive activities and the international community to pay more attention to this ongoing pogrom of Benue people and appeal for their intervention in the provision of aid to the over 190,000 IDP’S at different camps in Benue State.

“We believe it is only when these criminal and vicious elements are properly designated and treated as terrorists that the spate of killings would be put to rest,” he stated.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/benue-lawmakers-cry-out-over-withdrawal-of-troops/

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said despite the challenges facing the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration since coming to office in May 2015, the government has not retrenched a single worker.

The Minister also said it released the names of alleged looters in the country not because it was in a panic mode but because the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenged it to do so.

He told Independent Newspaper: “We were challenged to do so. Don’t forget that on their own, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said that they apologised to Nigerians for the way they ran Nigeria aground and we said, yes apology is accepted, but please return the funds. I think one of them challenged us to name those who had stolen money”.

“I think gradually it is becoming fashionable when you remind PDP that they brought us to this sorry path, they will say stop talking about what we did, please continue with your own. But we cannot move. It is important that Nigerians remember how we got here and the same people who have made no atonement say that they want to come back to power in 2019.

“So, it is important for us to remind them. Let me tell you, this government is not in any panic mood. We are so proud of our achievements that in less than three years I can stand up and say this is what we have achieved in the area of security; this is what we have achieved in the economy, in the area of ease of doing business.

“There is no area we have not made our mark. We lifted Nigeria from number 165 in the ease of doing business to 145. It is not a mean feat! And we exited recession at a time when the price of crude was low; we were in recession when we implemented the diversification of the economy.”

“It is on record that despite all these challenges we have not retrenched one person. So, why should we be afraid? Why should we panic? I don’t see any reason why we should panic; I think it is the imagination of people that the government is panicky. No!” He said.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/buhari-govt-has-not-sacked-any-worker-since-2015-lai-mohammed/

Abubakar Tsav, a former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, has called for the formation of a committee to reform the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Tsav, speaking on Wednesday in Makurdi, said most retired IGPs were responsible for the rot in the system, adding that the reform committee would comprise former police officers of reputable character, drawn across the cadre.

He lamented the deteriorating state of the system, such that promotions, postings were no longer based on merits.

The ex-police chief recalled the old days, where physical checks were carried out on men to determine their suitability for assignments and advised that unless discipline was restored, efficiency, proficiency and professionalism would remain a pipe dream.

He lamented the rot perpetuated by officers posted on highway patrols, saying, “You often hear them begging – your boys are here, they are hungry, they need pure water. These things are regrettable.

“These days promotions are not done in the police on merit but on account of favouritism.”

“People got postings not on account of their professional expertise, but because they were in good relationship with their superior officers,” Tsav lamented.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/ex-commissioner-tsav-calls-for-immediate-reform-of-the-npf/

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday attended a meeting at the presidential villa in Abuja with crutches.

His spokesman, Kingsley Fanwo, had revealed how he sustained injury on his left foot and had his leg bandaged by doctors.

He said the incident happened while he was alighting from a vehicle.

“The Governor missed his footing last Friday March 30, 2018 while alighting from a vehicle and injured his left foot. He was treated by his doctors, who bandaged the leg and discharged him”, Fanwo said.

“We thank all the Governor’s supporters and well-wishers who reached us to inquire after his wellbeing. His Excellency is doing very well and will be at work as usual after the Easter holidays.

“Once again, the Governor sends his best wishes to Kogites for the Easter Season and beyond”.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/video-watch-as-gov-yahaya-bello-attends-aso-villa-meeting-with-crutches/

The Benue State government has responded to the kind gesture by Founder and Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleiman to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPS, in the state.

According to Tever Akase, the Chief Press Secretary to governor Samuel Ortom, Suleman, after listening to his live conversation on the current humanitarian crisis rocking Benue State with over 170, 000 people among them 80,450 children in eight Internally Displaced Persons camps, decided to donate the sum of N5m to the state government.

Akase on behalf of the state thanked Suleman for the kind gesture.

He said, “It was one in a series of such outings I have had on different radio and television stations to tell the Benue story since the herdsmen attacks took a fresh devastating dimension on new year day.

“I had no idea who was listening to the programme as Benin is far away from Benue and signals of radio stations there are not received in Makurdi.

“A few days later, producer of the programme on Independent Radio, Emmanuel Akpololohor told me that the Founder and Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleiman had called the FM station to say that he listened to my presentation on the IDPs crisis in Benue State and was touched. That he (Apostle Suleiman) had decided to complement Governor Samuel Ortom’s efforts with N5 million to enable the State Government manage the situation.

“Yesterday, Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Emmanuel Shior confirmed that the man of God has fulfilled his promise of N5 million.

“On behalf of Governor Samuel Ortom, the government and people of Benue State, particularly the displaced persons, I thank you a million times Apostle Johnson Suleiman. We sincerely appreciate you.

“Our gratitude also goes to the management and staff of Independent Radio, Benin for giving us their esteemed platform to tell the Benue story at zero cost.”

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/benue-govt-reacts-to-apostle-johnson-sulemans-donation-of-n5m-to-the-state-idps/

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Emergency Management Agency to commence an assessment of the extent of damage in communities affected by violence caused by herdsmen-farmers’ clashes in some parts of the country.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this during the inaugural meeting of the recently composed Governing Council of NEMA at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice-President presided over the meeting as the chairman of the governing council.

Osinbajo said, “Mr. President has directed that we do a survey and assessment on the damage done to towns, cities, communities that have been affected by violence in some parts of the country, including the farmers-herders’ clashes.

“NEMA will play a leading role in this and the Presidency will also provide direct support.

“We will involve the people in the affected communities, and not just bring people from outside these communities, in the rebuilding efforts.

“We will involve people in these villages, artisans and other people in the communities, with required skills so that they can also benefit economically as we rebuild these communities.”

Some of the states seriously affected by the herdsmen, farmers’ clashes include Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Zamfara, Oyo, Kogi, Ekiti and Ondo.

Osinbajo had on February 15 informed members of the National Economic Council that Buhari had approved the formation of a national committee to look into the rebuilding of communities affected by the violence in the affected states.

This, he said, was in line with the present administration’s commitment towards finding permanent solutions to the herdsmen-farmers’ clashes in some parts of the country.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/president-buhari-orders-assessment-on-the-damage-done-by-herdsmen-in-benue-others/

Watch the highlights here: https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/check-out-zlatan-ibrahimovic-reaction-to-cristiano-ronaldos-wonder-goal-against-juventus/

LA Galaxy striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reacted to Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning second goal against Juventus in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg.

Ronaldo inspired the Los Blancos to a 3-0 away win against the Serie A champions in Turin on Tuesday night.

Ibrahimovic, who scored from exactly that distance at the weekend as he made his debut against LAFC, scoring twice to help his new club turn around a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3, said Ronaldo’s strike against Juventus was a little too close to goal.

Speaking on ESPN’s Sportscenter on Tuesday night, when he was asked about Ronaldo’s overhead bicycle kick goal, he simply replied: “It was a nice goal, but he should try it from 40 meters.”

He added: “I mean I’m still jetlagged. I’ve been here for four days, trying to pass the days with energy as much as possible but it hasn’t been easy.

“But people approaching me and saying, ‘Welcome to LA, it was a crazy goal, it was a crazy game’ and all positive things, so I just feel happy and welcome.”

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/check-out-zlatan-ibrahimovic-reaction-to-cristiano-ronaldos-wonder-goal-against-juventus/

The publisher of Sahara Reporters and presidential aspirant in the forthcoming 2019 election, Omoyele Sowore, says even while sleeping, he can do better than President Muhammadu Buhari.

He stated this on Tuesday while addressing hundreds of his supporters and members of the “#TakeBackNigeria Movement” at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

While addressing the crowd, Sowore, who would be undertaking series of rallies and town hall meetings, said he was in Nigeria to lead a movement to change power in 2019.

“It is over for the old people, it is over for the cabal, it is over for the mafias that have been running Nigeria down,” he said.

“I can run Nigeria better than President Buhari, even in my sleep. There is no need to become a local government councillor or a senator when I can run a better country as the president of the federal republic of Nigeria. I am the most transparent candidate,” he added.

Sowore, with the mammoth crowd, moved from the airport to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota where he addressed another waiting crowd.

https://www.benuepress.com/2018/04/i-can-run-nigeria-better-than-buhari-even-in-my-sleep-sowore-says/