Connect with us
Maduka University Advert

News

17 killed in Easter Sunday attack on Benue community

Published

on

Spread the love
At least 17 people have been reported killed in an attack on Mbalom in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benug State in the latest violence to hit the state’s rural areas.

The attack, which occurred on Sunday, coincided with Easter celebrations, with residents narrating how the gunmen stormed the community and opened fire on villagers.

Local sources who did not want their names mentioned for security reasons said the assailants also set houses ablaze, displacing many residents, with many missing as search efforts continue.

“This is heartbreaking. People were caught unawares. Many are still missing,” a resident said.

Witness accounts indicate that the attackers struck without warning, forcing families to flee into the bush as gunshots rang through the community.

The latest killings have renewed concerns over persistent insecurity in parts of Benue, where farming communities have faced repeated attacks by armed groups.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack, describing it as “heinous” and unacceptable.

Maduka College Advert

The statement, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said the governor expressed sympathy to affected families and assured residents that the government would pursue those responsible.

Mr Alia also noted what he described as a pattern of “calculated and selective attacks” in parts of the state and pledged to strengthen security measures to prevent further violence.

Lifeless bodies of victims are loaded onto a Hilux van following the deadly attack on the Mbalom community in Benue State.
Lifeless bodies of victims are loaded onto a Hilux van following the deadly attack on the Mbalom community in Benue State.

He commended the security agencies for their response and urged them to intensify operations to apprehend the perpetrators.

The incident adds to a history of deadly violence in the Mbalom area. In April 2018, suspected herders attacked a Catholic church in the community, killing two priests, Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, during a morning mass.

At least 15 other persons were reportedly killed in that attack, which also saw houses burnt and properties destroyed.

The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi had at the time condemned the killings and criticised what it described as an inadequate security response to the violence.

Sunday’s attack mirrors that earlier incident, with similar reports of killings, arson, and displacement of residents.

Lifeless bodies of victims are loaded onto a Hilux van following the deadly attack on the Mbalom community in Benue State.
Lifeless bodies of victims are loaded onto a Hilux van following the deadly attack on the Mbalom community in Benue State.

Across Benue State, such attacks have continued to disrupt livelihoods, particularly in agrarian communities, raising broader questions about security and protection for vulnerable populations.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing, while security agencies have launched efforts to track down those responsible.

News

My govt cares – Tinubu reassures Nigerians amid worsening insecurity, hardship

Published

on

Tinubu scraps Ministries of Niger Delta, Sports
President Bola Tinubu
Spread the love

President Bola Tinubu has restated that his government is committed to addressing the country’s main problems, including economic difficulties, power shortages and safety issues.

Speaking in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Tinubu stated that his government is still focused on policies aimed at helping the poorest and most at-risk Nigerians.

He said: “We won’t stop moving forward, and we’ll keep looking for ways to help those who are struggling.

“This is a government that really cares.”

He noted that having steady power supply is very important for development, stressing that industrial growth and learning new skills mostly rely on having dependable electricity.

“You can’t have industrial growth, learning new skills, or people gaining strength without having enough power.

Maduka College Advert

“I promise Nigerians that we will provide electricity to support our country’s development,” he said.

The president also thanked Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, for the way he leads the state.

“Diri has shown the strength of leading with a clear purpose, and I am here today making a promise that the challenges we face, along with the legacy of those who led this country, including the battles and difficulties of ensuring security, will be met with hard work to properly equip and train our men and women in the Armed Forces. We will defeat terrorism and banditry.”

Continue Reading

News

BREAKING: Ebonyi Catholic Bishop, Peter Chukwu is dead

Published

on

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Dr Peter ChukwuP
Spread the love

The Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Dr Peter Chukwu is dead.

A source said the Bishop died where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

Meanwhile, a social media influencer, Nwoba Chika Nwoba, in a post on his Facebook page, mourned the demise of the Bishop.

He wrote, “A very bad one for us in Ebonyi State. The loss of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Dr Peter Chukwu is a terrible loss.

“This loss is huge. God knows why, but it’s painful losing him in his 50s. A refined man and Associate Professor. This loss is beyond Ezza’s loss. It’s well. We can’t take war to God’s place. Kidney transplant issue. NCN.”

The authorities of the Catholic Church is expected to issue an official statement announcing the demise of the Bishop.

Maduka College Advert

Continue Reading

News

Terrorism: Ex-Borno senatorial candidate jailed 10 years

Published

on

Spread the love

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sentenced former senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, to 10 years’ imprisonment for aiding terrorism through the sale of petroleum products to insurgents.

The trial judge, Peter Lifu, convicted Habeeb on a one-count charge of aiding and abetting terrorism filed by the Federal Government.

Habeeb, a fuel dealer based in Maiduguri, had pleaded guilty to the charge upon arraignment, admitting that he sold fuel to members of the Boko Haram operating in the North-East.

The convict, however, claimed that the transactions might have been carried out by attendants at his filling station.

During the proceedings, Habeeb appealed for leniency, kneeling in the dock as he urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

He told the court that he had two wives and six children and had been in detention for over 10 years without contact with his family.

Maduka College Advert

Counsel to the Federal Government, David Kaswe, opposed the plea, arguing that the support provided to the terrorist group had serious consequences.

Kaswe submitted that the supply of fuel enabled the insurgents to power motorcycles used in attacks, leading to loss of lives and displacement of communities.

He urged the court to impose a stiffer penalty, noting that although the defendant had spent over a decade in custody, a 20-year sentence would be appropriate.

In his judgment, Justice Lifu held that there was no evidence establishing that the defendant was a member of Boko Haram or had undergone weapons training.

He, however, ruled that the admission of selling fuel to the insurgents was sufficient to sustain the charge of aiding terrorism.

The judge also noted that the prosecution did not challenge the defendant’s claim of prolonged detention.

Justice Lifu consequently sentenced Habeeb to 10 years’ imprisonment.

He ordered that the sentence should take effect from the date of the convict’s arrest and detention.

Continue Reading

Trending

Maduka College Advert