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Tag: Benue

Benue Lawmaker Ojema Ojotu Defects To APC, Giving Ruling Party Complete Control Of State’s Federal Seats

Benue Lawmaker Ojema Ojotu Defects To APC from PDP

Wale busari02 mins

Ojema Ojotu, the House of Representatives member for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in Benue State, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu made the announcement during Tuesday’s plenary session, reading Ojotu’s letter to the House of Representatives. With Ojotu’s defection, the APC now controls all 11 federal constituencies in Benue State, marking complete dominance of the state’s representation in the House. In his letter, Ojotu cited the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP as the reason for his departure. “After consulting my constituents, family, and political associates, I have decided to leave the PDP for the APC,” he stated. The move immediately sparked controversy. Deputy Minority Leader Aliyu Madaki of the New Nigeria Peoples Party invoked Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, urging that Ojotu’s seat be declared vacant for leaving the party that sponsored his election. House Majority Leader Ibrahim Halims countered the argument, maintaining that a member may leave a party if it is embroiled in unresolved crises that threaten their political future. Deputy Speaker Kalu welcomed Ojotu to the APC and assured him of the party’s full support. Ojotu’s defection is part of a broader wave of lawmakers moving to the APC in 2025, a trend that opposition parties have attributed to pressure from the ruling government — claims President Bola Tinubu has denied, urging other parties to address their internal issues.

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FG, Benue Govt Partner To Sponsor 39 Artisans for Training in Belarus

Kamal Yalwa03 mins

ABUJA — The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Benue State Government, has sponsored 39 artisans to undergo training in the Republic of Belarus, as part of efforts to expand job opportunities and enhance youth empowerment across the country. The initiative, implemented under the International Job Placement Programme, aims to equip Nigerian youths with technical and vocational skills that will make them globally competitive while fostering economic development. The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, urged the beneficiaries to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, stressing that the programme goes beyond job creation to include technology transfer and international exposure. “This initiative offers not just decent jobs, but also opportunities for the transfer of technology and skills which participants will eventually bring back home,” Onyejeocha said. The collaboration builds on a 2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the Government of Belarus to promote workforce development and mutual skill exchange. According to the Director-General of the NDE, Silas Agara, the request for state participation in the programme was sent to all 36 states and the FCT, but Benue was the first to meet the sponsorship requirements. “The contract for the programme spans ten years and is renewable annually, subject to satisfactory performance,” Agara explained.“Each beneficiary has also signed an agreement to remit ₦300,000 from their monthly earnings to support their families, as well as contribute a portion to a state fund designed to assist other artisans in Benue.” The Director-General of the Benue Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, Benita Shuluwa, said the programme aligns with the state’s vision to build a globally competitive workforce capable of contributing meaningfully to both the local and international economy. The government expressed confidence that the skills and experiences gained in Belarus will ultimately enhance productivity, stimulate innovation, and create more employment opportunities upon the artisans’ return.

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DSS Arraigns Nine Over Terror-Related Offences in Benue and Plateau

Fola Badmus03 mins

Abuja, Nigeria – The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned nine individuals in connection with a series of terror-related offences and violent attacks across Benue and Plateau States. The suspects were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja in six separate cases, facing charges ranging from terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms to arms trafficking and destruction of property. Among those arraigned were Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, both from Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. They are facing a three-count charge for allegedly carrying out reprisal attacks in Abinsi and Yelwata villages. They are also accused of destroying private property in Ukpam village, which reportedly led to the economic loss of 12 cattle. In another case, Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA in Nasarawa State were charged alongside others still at large. They allegedly participated in coordinated attacks on the communities of Abinsi and Yelwata on June 13, 2025. A 32-year-old woman, Halima Haliru Umar, from Faskari LGA in Katsina State, was arraigned on a four-count charge. She is accused of transporting 302 rounds of live AK-47 rifle ammunition to bandits operating in the region. The DSS also arraigned a 75-year-old man, Nanbol Tali, and another individual, Timnan Manjo, on a four-count charge related to the illegal purchase and sale of two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles. The weapons were reportedly sold without licenses for a sum of ₦3 million. In a related development, Danjuma Antu of Jos North, Plateau State, appeared before the court on a five-count charge for unlawful possession of two locally made pistols capable of firing 9mm caliber ammunition. Additionally, the DSS filed a six-count charge against Silas Iduh Oloche of Agatu LGA, Benue State, for unlawful possession of 18 firearms, including grenades, without a license. The DSS noted that investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being made to apprehend other suspects who remain at large. These arraignments come amid increased efforts by security agencies to clamp down on rising violence, arms proliferation, and terrorism in Nigeria’s North Central region, which has faced persistent instability in recent years.

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Troops Neutralise Bandit in Benue, Destroy Camps in Makurdi LGA

Fola Badmus02 mins

Troops of the 401 Special Forces Brigade/Sector 1 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with local hunters, have carried out a clearance operation around the Tatough general area of Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State, neutralising one bandit and destroying multiple hideouts. According to a statement by Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Abdullahi Lawal Osabo, the weekend operation involved a fighting patrol and the escort of bereaved family members to Tse-Ayele village for a burial. Troops cleared several identified hotspots, including Mdoor, Anter, Tse-Gegu, Tse-Akaajime, Tse-Agam, and Ndor villages. While advancing through Tse-Akaajime, soldiers encountered armed bandits. A brief but intense firefight ensued, resulting in the killing of one bandit, while others fled, abandoning their positions. Items recovered included two Tecno mobile phones and three motorcycles suspected to have been used in criminal activities. Troops subsequently destroyed and set ablaze all identified bandit camps in the area, effectively preventing the criminals from regrouping. In a related development, soldiers deployed in Tatough have continued aggressive foot and perimeter patrols to maintain security and reassure residents of their safety. The Acting Commander, 401 Special Forces Brigade and Sector 1 OPWS, Colonel K.O. Bukoye, commended the troops for their gallantry, urging them to remain vigilant and sustain momentum in the effort to rid Benue State of criminal elements.

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Herdsmen Attack Afia Community In Benue, 11 Dead

Herdsmen Attack Afia Community In Benue 11 Dead 

Fola Badmus03 mins

Barely a week after suspected armed herders massacred over 50 farmers in parts of Benue State, fresh violence erupted in the early hours of Tuesday as gunmen stormed Afia community in Ukum Local Government Area, killing 11 residents and leaving several others injured. The Ter Ukum, His Royal Highness, Chief Iyorkyaa Kaave, disclosed in Makurdi while addressing a security meeting convened to assess the spate of violence in the area. Describing the attack as unprovoked and part of a calculated agenda to displace indigenous farmers, the monarch condemned the continued loss of lives and property in his domain. “As I speak to you, these attacks began on Thursday in Logo and by Good Friday had spread to several communities in Ukum. We are still counting the dead, recovering more corpses and many of our people remain missing,” the monarch lamented. According to him, Tuesday’s attack on Afia was particularly brutal, as the armed assailants stormed the community at dawn, firing sporadically at residents and leaving eleven dead on the spot, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Kaave expressed fears that the armed herders are bent on displacing local populations to seize their lands, noting that the situation has reached a crisis point. “These people are different from the Fulani we knew and lived peacefully with in the 1970s and 1980s. Back then, they would come during the dry season with their families and cattle. But what we are witnessing now are armed men with AK-47s, attacking our people in their sleep, and returning to occupy their homes,” the monarch stated. He urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action, warning against any move to negotiate with those behind the killings. “The president should understand this clearly — we do not want to settle with murderers. These people have a hidden but now obvious agenda: to kill, displace and occupy,” he said.

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Gunmen Kill Two and Abduct 12 Passengers in Benue

Gunmen Kill Two and Abduct 12 Passengers in Benue

Fola Badmus02 mins

The management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited has said that gunmen attacked the company’s bus, killed the driver and one passenger and abducted 12 others. The company’s information officer, Johnson Ehi, disclosed this in a statement in Makurdi on Friday.The company is owned by the Benue State government. The statement explained that the bus, with registration number PP512, was travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo when the incident happened. According to Mr Ehi, the incident occurred on Thursday, near Otukpo Burnt Bricks. The management condemned the fatal attack in very strong terms. It stated, “Regrettably, the driver of the 18-seater bus, Mr Samuel Agege, and a front-seat passenger were fatally shot by the attackers. While the gunmen attempted to abduct the remaining passengers, three individuals managed to escape, and another passenger had disembarked earlier at Taraku Town before the incident. “The management extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and stands in solidarity with those whose loved ones remain in captivity. We assure the general public that we are in constant communication with security agencies, who are making concerted efforts to rescue the abducted passengers. “We appreciate the swift response of the law enforcement agencies and express confidence in their ongoing efforts to rescue the victims.” When contacted, the Benue police command confirmed the incident. The state police public relations officer, Sewuese Anene, said, “The incident was reported but details would be made available later.”

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