Gunmen have killed five people, including a traditional ruler, his wife, son and two others, in Olegabulu community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when the assailants stormed the community around 8pm.

A local source from the community told our correspondent that four persons who rode on two motorcycles entered the residence of the traditional ruler and shot him and two members of his family.

The source, who did not want to be named, said, “The assailants were not Fulani because, at the time they alighted from their motorcycles, they exchanged pleasantries with people around in our dialect.

“So, nobody envisaged they were enemies, but as soon as they entered the traditional ruler’s house and opened fire, everyone scampered for safety.

“The assailants operated for almost 20 minutes. After attacking the traditional ruler’s residence, they moved to the next house and killed two people.

“One other person sustained injuries before they fled.”

The Chairman of the local government, Melvin Ejeh, who confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Friday, said five people were killed and one person was injured, adding that police officers in the area had visited the scene.

“It’s true the incident happened. Five people were killed and one person injured during the attack,” Ejeh said.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive the report.

“I am yet to get the report, but I am still waiting for it,” Edet said.

A High Court in Lokoja has awarded N1billion in damages against Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a defamation suit filed by former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello.

The order is contained in the Certified True Copy of the judgement, dated April 23 on Friday in Lokoja.

The court held that based on the preponderance of evidence or balance of probabilities, judgment was entered in favour of the claimant.

Justice Justice A. S. Ibrahim, while delivering his judgement in the suit marked, “HCL/16/2023”, held that upon the conclusion of the suit, the two issues formulated for determination were resolved in favour of the claimant.

“The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on Arise TV programme of ‘The Morning Show’ is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation.

“The said interview of 4/11/2022 in which the defendant described the claimant as a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State was without justification.”

The court also gave “an order of perpetual injunction against the Defendant, [his] agents, privies or associates”, restraining them from further issuance of the defamatory statements or words against the claimant on TV or radio stations.

“The sum of one billion naira (N1,000,000,000) only (is) awarded as damages against the Defendant and in favour of the Claimant,” the court said.

Bello had sued Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan for defamation of character.

The Defendant’s Counsel, Johnson J. Usman, SAN, had, challenged the jurisdiction of the court, saying that the suit was an abuse of court process.

Bello’s Counsel, Friday Ekpa, however, countered that, saying that none of the cases before the FCT High Court was against the person of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

After the High Court ruled that it had jurisdiction to entertain the case, Akpoti-Uduaghan appealed the ruling.

The Court of Appeal, in the appeal number, “CA/ABJ/CV/626/2024”, however, dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit and affirmed that the Kogi State High Court had jurisdiction to entertain the case.

At least 36 serving military officers accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu will be arraigned before a General Court Martial (GCM) on Friday, following the convening of a military trial panel by the Defence Headquarters.

Although the Defence Headquarters has not publicly announced the move, Sahara Reporters reported that the GCM will assemble at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja on 23 April, according to a convening order signed by AM Alechenu, Commander of the Defence Headquarters Garrison.

The court martial, described as one of the largest in recent years, was established through an official convening order dated April 17, 2026, issued from the Defence Headquarters Garrison at Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.

According to Sahara Reporters, the order signed by Major General A.M. Alechenu established the tribunal under the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, mandating it to proceed with the trial of the listed accused persons.

The directive further stated that proceedings will begin on April 23, 2026, at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

The panel is made up of senior officers drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, reflecting a joint-service judicial composition. It is headed by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji, with other members including major generals, rear admirals, and air vice marshals.

A Judge Advocate, Lt. Col. A. Mohammed, has been appointed to provide legal guidance throughout the proceedings. The structure also includes prosecuting officers from all three services, liaison officers, a technical team, supervising officers, and a court secretariat.

The development represents one of the most extensive military disciplinary proceedings in recent times, coming amid ongoing investigations into alleged efforts to destabilise the state. The court martial is expected to hear multiple cases as the military moves to enforce discipline and maintain constitutional order.