Tag: Benue killings

Tinubu orders arrest of Yelewata Killers, tasks Gov Alia on Peace Committee formation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate arrest of killer herders responsible for the gruesome massacre of over 100 people in Yelewata community, Benue State.   The President issued the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, Makurdi, where he met with Governor Hyacinth Alia, traditional rulers, former governors, and other political leaders from the state. Also present at the meeting were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and Governors from Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa States.   Tinubu questioned…

DHQ refutes allegations of military sabotage in Yelwata massacre

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed recent claims suggesting that internal sabotage within the Nigerian military contributed to the massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, described the allegations as baseless and unsupported by credible evidence.   In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the military emphasized that it was not responsible for the killings and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding civilian lives and upholding the rule of law.   The statement said”The Nigerian military has consistently denied any involvement in the Yelwata incident. “There…

NHRC expresses deep concern over escalating killings in Benue, Plateau, Other States

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed deep concern over the disturbing rise in violent attacks and killings in Benue and Plateau States, as well as other parts of the country, resulting in massive loss of lives, displacement of innocent civilians, and widespread destruction of property.   In a swift reaction to the incidents, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, emphasized that the right to life is a fundamental human right, protected under both international and national legal frameworks. He warned that the continued attacks, often…

IGP visits Benue over killings, Orders additional Tactical deployment … Commiserates with Gov Alia, condemns attacks as Acts of Terrorism

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on Monday, June 16, 2025, paid a condolence visit to Benue State following recent violent attacks in the state that claimed the lives of several residents. Accompanied by top-ranking officers, including the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Yakubu Kwazhi, and DIG Adebola Ayinde Hamzat of the Department of Logistics & Supply, the IGP visited the Benue State Government House where he was received by Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia.   While commiserating with the Governor, the IGP condemned the…

Tinubu orders crackdown on Benue killings,tasks Gov Alia to lead Peace Dialogue …. Says bloodletting must stop, warns political and community leaders against incitement

Emporium Reporters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s security chiefs to immediately enforce his earlier orders aimed at ending the persistent violence and insecurity in Benue State, following a fresh round of reprisal attacks that claimed several lives.   In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, President Tinubu said the nation’s intelligence community, police, and military have been deployed to the state to coordinate a robust security response and restore normalcy.   Describing the spate of killings in the…

Ex-Lawmakers urge N’Assembly intervention in Benue, Zamfara crises … Hail protesting Lawyers as true defenders of democracy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Coalition of Former Nigerian Lawmakers (CoFoNiL) has thrown its weight behind the protest by over 1,000 lawyers to the National Assembly, calling for a federal takeover of legislative functions in Benue and Zamfara States over alleged constitutional violations and breakdown of legislative order.   Describing the action as a “patriotic move to save democracy,” the Coalition said the lawyers had acted within their rights and in the best interest of the nation’s constitutional integrity.   In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Rt. Hon. Dapo Olowolagba, the group lauded…

Between Danjuma, Namadi and the Gospel of Self-Defence, by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

In a tête-à-tête with journalists last week, the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, openly disagreed with retired General Theophilus Danjuma, former Chief of Army Staff and former Minister of Defence, over his advice to us Nigerians, to defend ourselves against those who have been killing citizens like Christmas turkeys and abducting and negotiating ransom payments like buying and selling sacks of potatoes in Shendam market.   Namadi said, “He (Danjuma) is a very senior security person and should be respected. But if he says citizens should be allowed to…

I have no plans to dump APC – Ortom

Emporium Reporters

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, has denied any plan to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC). The denial is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Terver Akase issued to newsmen in Makurdi. It said that the media report on the governor’s purported plan to leave the APC was false, misleading and handiwork of detractors playing politics with the blood of the people. ”We read a report in a national daily of today which named Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom as one of the All Progressives Congress…

Buhari Has Admitted Leading An Inept Government, Says PDP

Emporium Reporters

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said President Muhammadu Buhari, in saying that he was unaware that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, did not carry out his orders regarding the security situation in Benue state, has directly admitted running an incompetent, disorganized and uncoordinated administration. PDP stated that President Buhari’s explanation on the IGP was also an admission that he has handed over power to a cabal that neither sought for votes nor elected by Nigerians. The party said President Buhari has irredeemably indicted himself adding that such unpardonable…

Benue Cancels Mass Burial, Prepares For Buhari’s Visit

Emporium Reporters

Benue State government has canceled the planned mass burial for victims of Fulani herdsmen attack in Okpokwu. The government had promised to accord all the 24 victims of the Omusu Edimoga herdsmen attack a mass burial on Friday (today). Governor Samuel Ortom made the announcement for the burial during his visit to Omusu Edimoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state, where the attack took place on Monday, March 5, 2018. The herdsmen were said to have invaded the community between 2 pm and 3 pm on the said…