Category: Local

Makurdi, Nigeria — The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has issued a strong commitment to pursue and eliminate those responsible for the escalating violence in Benue State, calling for unity among stakeholders to confront the crisis head-on. Speaking during a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi on Tuesday, General Musa condemned the wave of killings that has claimed hundreds of lives in recent weeks and assured residents of the military’s full support in restoring peace. “The Armed Forces are with you. We are pained about what’s happening. For me, it’s personal. I don’t want to be the Chief of Defence when people are being killed. No,” Musa declared. He expressed frustration that while Nigeria had helped restore peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone, it continued to grapple with internal insecurity. General Musa urged traditional rulers and community leaders to actively cooperate with security agencies, stressing that without collective unity and intelligence sharing, efforts to defeat the assailants would be undermined. “We can’t do this alone. We need your support to identify those behind the attacks. This fight is not just for the military — it is for all Nigerians,” he said. President Tinubu Visits Today The Defence Chief’s statement comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to arrive in Benue State today, in what is seen as a significant move to assess the security situation and show solidarity with victims of the ongoing attacks. The President’s visit follows calls for a national emergency over the Benue killings, with rights groups, religious leaders, and international observers urging immediate and sustained government action. Benue State has been at the epicenter of violent clashes involving suspected herdsmen and local communities, leading to widespread displacement, destruction of homes, and the loss of over 160 lives in recent months.

Makurdi, Nigeria – The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has endorsed the training of credible youths in Benue State as community vigilantes under military supervision to safeguard local communities against terrorist and herdsmen attacks. General Musa made this known on Tuesday during a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the rising wave of violence that has plagued the state. The Defence Chief called on traditional leaders to play a proactive role by monitoring criminal elements within their communities, warning that acts of sabotage would not be tolerated. “We’re tired of innocent souls being killed. We’re here to ensure that we address this. I’ll be going to see my commanders — we have to change our strategy,” Musa said. He emphasized that a successful security operation would require the collaboration of the military, state authorities, traditional institutions, and the local population, stating that insider information had aided attackers in previous incidents. “Even before now, we used to have people within who compromise and give information. Some of the burnings were targeted, meaning there were insiders,” he added.

Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned the management of Air Peace Limited over mounting complaints from passengers alleging non-refund of ticket fares, even in cases where the airline cancelled scheduled flights. In a formal notice dated June 13, 2025, the FCCPC directed Air Peace officials to appear at its Abuja headquarters on Monday, June 23, 2025, to address allegations of consumer rights violations and increasing public outrage. The summons, signed by FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, noted that the airline’s actions may violate Sections 130(1)(a), 130(1)(b), and 130(2)(b) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, which guarantee passengers a timely refund when a service provider fails to fulfil a booking or reservation. “These actions potentially contravene provisions that enshrine the principle of fair dealing and safeguard consumers against unfair, unjust, or unreasonable practices,” Ijagwu said in a statement issued Monday in Abuja. The Commission has also demanded detailed documentation from Air Peace, including: The FCCPC stressed that the summons was issued under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, with Section 33(3) specifically mandating compliance. Failure to comply, it warned, could attract serious penalties, including fines or imprisonment. While not directly referenced in the FCCPC’s statement, the development follows a public spat involving Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Air Peace staff, after the lawmaker accused the airline of racketeering and extortion. Oshiomhole claimed he missed a scheduled flight after arriving on time, alleging that airline officials demanded N109,100 from stranded passengers — himself included — to reschedule them to a later flight. According to the senator, 20 to 30 passengers were affected and witnessed preferential treatment for late arrivals who allegedly paid extra. Air Peace denied the allegations, insisting that the senator arrived late and was never extorted. The FCCPC’s intervention signals an escalation in regulatory scrutiny of Nigeria’s aviation sector, as passenger dissatisfaction continues to mount over flight disruptions, poor communication, and lack of accountability by domestic airlines.

Abuja, Nigeria – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the composition of its Screening and Screening Appeal Committees ahead of the 2026 Area Council Elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. According to a statement by the party, the inauguration of the Chairmen and Secretaries of both committees will take place as follows: The screening process is a key component of the party’s internal preparations for the upcoming elections across the six area councils in the FCT.

Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for urgent constitutional reform to overhaul Nigeria’s national security architecture, declaring that the establishment of state police is no longer optional but a “national imperative.” Speaking through the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, at a high-level legislative dialogue on constitutional review and national security in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu said Nigeria’s centralised policing system has outlived its usefulness in the face of rising terrorism, cybercrime, banditry, and farmer-herder clashes. “The debate over state police is no longer theoretical. It is grounded in the daily fears and lived anxieties of Nigerians,” Tinubu said. “Our Constitution must evolve or risk becoming a danger to the very unity it was meant to protect.” The president advocated for moving policing from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, enabling states to establish their own forces while retaining federal oversight. He also emphasized the urgency of constitutional clarity on border security, local policing roles, and coordination among security agencies. While highlighting recent gains in security operations—including the dismantling of terrorist camps and reduction in piracy—Tinubu warned that structural limitations still hinder lasting impact. “Without constitutional backing for decentralised policing, these initiatives will remain limited in impact,” he said. House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu echoed the call for reform, pledging the National Assembly’s readiness to enact legislation that aligns with current realities. Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa proposed sweeping amendments, including clearer operational mandates, courts-martial reforms, and new legal tools for combating terrorism. He called for a modern security legal framework that matches evolving threats like cyber warfare and hybrid insurgency. Also speaking, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, underscored the link between security and a responsive constitution, saying Nigeria’s stability depends on institutional reform, decentralisation, and public trust. The dialogue, organised by the House Committee on Constitution Review, is expected to shape critical amendments aimed at securing Nigeria’s future through stronger, decentralised, and accountable security systems.

Makurdi, Nigeria —Amid mounting pressure and public outrage over renewed killings in Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia has announced the deployment of special tactical teams and response squads to vulnerable communities, in what appears to be a decisive move to curb escalating insecurity. In a statement released Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia revealed that federal-backed forces have begun arriving in the state to reinforce local security efforts. “We assure citizens that more tactical teams have started arriving in Benue from the Federal Government, and additional security deployments are being arranged for vulnerable areas,” the statement read. This comes on the heels of a deadly attack on Yelwata community, which left several residents dead and many others displaced. The assailants are suspected to be armed criminal herdsmen. “I acknowledge and share in your pains and grief caused by these attacks,” Alia said, condemning the massacre and pledging justice for the victims. According to the governor, the response includes not just boots on the ground but an all-hands-on-deck approach, involving traditional rulers, security agencies, and grassroots leaders in intelligence gathering and conflict prevention. “Strategic community dialogues are ongoing to enhance active intelligence sharing,” Alia disclosed. He further noted that Benue’s joint operations units are being reinforced, with more firepower and personnel committed to protecting lives and property. In a call for calm, the governor urged religious, political, and traditional leaders to help de-escalate tensions and discourage unlawful gatherings or retaliatory actions that could worsen the crisis. “We must guide our youths away from actions that could spiral out of control,” he cautioned. The state government also encouraged residents to report suspicious activity through official channels and to rely on verified information sources to avoid panic and misinformation. Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Sam Ode has visited Yelwata to commiserate with survivors and reassure them of the government’s commitment to their safety. Governor Alia concluded with a strong promise: “We will not rest on our oars until peace is restored to every corner of Benue State.” As the tactical teams settle in, all eyes are on whether this latest deployment will finally halt the wave of bloodshed that has plagued the state in recent months.

Makurdi, Nigeria —The African Action Congress (AAC) has come down hard on Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, accusing him of unleashing a full-blown military-style assault on peaceful protesters in Makurdi with armoured vehicles, helicopters, and tear gas. In a blistering statement issued Sunday, Agena Robert Ande, AAC Chairman for the Federal Capital Territory and a prominent human rights advocate, condemned what he described as “state-sponsored brutality” and “an outrageous display of thuggish governance.” The protesters, who had gathered to demand an end to relentless killings in the state, were reportedly met with a barrage of violent suppression instead of dialogue or sympathy. “Governor Alia’s deployment of heavy security machinery against unarmed citizens is a cowardly and inhumane act,” Ande said. “This is not governance — it’s thuggery under the guise of leadership.” According to Ande, the protesters’ only demand was for Governor Alia to take decisive action against the frequent bloodshed allegedly carried out by armed herdsmen in various communities across the state. “Rather than address the protesters or condemn the killings, the governor chose brute force. It’s a damning indictment of his administration’s empathy deficit and gross incompetence,” he added. The AAC leader linked the root of Benue’s turmoil to the government’s consistent failure to confront the activities of violent herdsmen. He claimed the state’s silence has only emboldened attackers. “These atrocities didn’t start yesterday. The Fulani herdsmen have carried out unchecked violence for years. Governor Alia’s attempts to shift blame or dodge responsibility show a dangerous unwillingness to confront reality,” Ande said. He called on the governor to publicly condemn the attacks, initiate a people-centered security strategy, and hold perpetrators accountable. Ande also noted that several eyewitnesses claimed the attackers came from neighbouring Nasarawa State, urging cross-border collaboration to stop the spread of terror. “The attackers reportedly came from Nasarawa. Alia must work with neighbouring governors to ensure their territories don’t become launchpads for terrorism,” he warned. Commenting on reports of arrests and assault, Ande did not mince words: “Beating peaceful protesters into stupor, firing live rounds, and handing them over to the police is not law enforcement — it is state tyranny. The people of Benue are losing patience.” While the number of arrests remains unclear, the AAC insisted the protests were a sign that the people refuse to be silenced. “The people of Benue will not forget the cruelty they faced under this administration. They will continue to demand justice and accountability,” Ande concluded. As tensions mount in the state, AAC’s bold denunciation has amplified growing public outcry over the government’s handling of both the killings and the protesters’ treatment — setting the stage for increased scrutiny on Alia’s administration.

Abuja, Nigeria – June 5, 2025Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has expressed deep sorrow over the recent mass killings in Benue State, describing the tragedy as “a national emergency” and a profound failure of leadership. In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, Obi condemned the brutal murder of over 200 individuals, including women, children, soldiers, and displaced persons, during what he described as a “single onslaught” on communities in the state. “My heart is heavy as I learn of yet another horrific series of killings in Benue… This tragedy has become too common in our national life,” Obi said. The former Anambra State governor lamented the widespread destruction of homes, the displacement of families, and the collapse of entire communities, describing the attacks as more than just acts of violence. “This is not merely violence. It is a failure of leadership, a stain on our collective conscience,” he said, adding that every Nigerian life lost is precious and irreplaceable. Call for Urgent Government Action Obi criticised what he sees as a growing normalisation of mass killings in the country and urged federal, state, and local authorities to fulfil their primary constitutional duty of protecting lives and property. “When government repeatedly fails in this duty, we must ask: what kind of nation are we bequeathing to our children?” He called for urgent, deliberate, and comprehensive action to protect communities in Benue and other crisis-prone regions, warning that symbolic gestures or political statements are no longer sufficient. “Let your actions speak louder than visits or statements,” he urged the government. “It’s time to prove commitment to protecting citizens.” Solidarity with Victims Offering condolences and solidarity to the people of Benue, Obi said: “To the people of Benue, I say: your pain is our pain. The blood of your loved ones cries out for justice.” He reiterated that a safe and secure Benue is not an unrealistic demand but a moral and national obligation, insisting that Nigeria must not accept a future defined by bloodshed and impunity. “This is not the Nigeria we deserve, nor the Nigeria we aspire to,” he concluded. “We must end this bloodshed. We must reclaim our humanity.”