ADC chieftain, Dino Melaye has claimed that over 6,000 Nigerians have been killed in Benue State since Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, as he criticised the ongoing failure to address persistent insecurity in the region.

Dino Melaye made the statement while speaking on the violence that has continued to affect farming communities in the state.

In a video clip shared widely on social media, Melaye pointed to the high number of deaths recorded in Benue alone during this period and questioned why the situation has not improved.

He said the figures reflect a serious challenge that demands attention from those in authority.

According to him, the attacks by terrorists have claimed thousands of lives and forced many residents to flee their homes, leaving behind destroyed farms and communities living in fear.

Benue has seen repeated incidents of violence linked to disputes over land and resources, with terrorists often targeting villages at night.

Reports from rights groups, including Amnesty International, have documented thousands of deaths across parts of central Nigeria in the same timeframe, with Benue recording one of the highest tolls.

Melaye, a former senator known for his outspoken views, used the occasion to highlight what he described as a lack of effective response to the crisis.

He argued that the scale of the loss in Benue should prompt stronger action to protect lives and restore calm.

The claims come amid broader concerns about insecurity in north-central Nigeria.

Independent estimates vary, but several sources have pointed to significant casualties in Benue from terrorist activities since 2023.

Some analyses put the number of deaths in the state in the thousands, though exact verification remains difficult due to the remote locations affected and challenges in data collection.

Local residents and community leaders have repeatedly called for better security deployment and measures to address the root causes of the conflict, such as competition between farmers and herders.

In recent months, attacks have continued in areas like Apa, Gwer West and other local government areas, adding to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.

Melaye’s remarks add to the public debate on how best to tackle the violence that has affected daily life in Benue for years.

He urged those responsible for security to do more to prevent further loss of life and allow people to return to their normal activities without constant threat.

As the situation persists, many in the state continue to hope for lasting solutions that go beyond statements and include practical steps on the ground.

The federal and state governments have at times announced operations and peace initiatives, but residents say the cycle of attacks has not yet been broken.

This latest comment from the ADC chieftain reflects the frustration felt by many who live with the daily reality of the insecurity in Benue.

An Anglican priest, Rev. Emmanuel Ezeokwe has been murdered by rampaging gunmen.

He was the Vicar of the Anglican Church, Zinai, Cathedral Archdeaconry in the Anglican Diocese of Yola.

The priest was reportedly killed in the early hours of Tuesday by bandits.

According to a statement posted on the social media platform of the church, his demise was announced by Ven. Andrew Izuakor, who is the Admin to the Bishop of Yola Diocese, the Most Rev Markus Ibrahim.

He said the gunmen invaded Zinai community, under Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State, and shot at the priest.

The clergyman died in the process.

The statement asked for prayers for the immediate family, Zinai Church, Cathedral Archdeaconry and the Diocese of Yola over the tragic moment.

… Commends Mbah’s Development Strides

• Says FG to Speed-up Work on PH-Enugu Rail Line

• As Mbah declares Enugu’s support for Tinubu’s re-election_

President Bola Tinubu has commended the governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, for his development strides in Enugu State, saying that with leaders like the governor, a new Nigeria of the people’s dream is possible.

This was even as Governor Mbah declared total support of the people of Enugu Stats for the president come 2027.

Tinubu spoke when he received an Mbah-led delegation of Enugu State leaders, who were on an appreciation visit to him at the Executive Council Chambers of the Aso Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

“The work you are doing is extremely important for our democracy to grow and for people to flourish. The future of this country rests on people like you with commitment, great vision, and seriousness that you have embarked upon since you assumed the office.

“I thank you very much on behalf of the country, the great people of this nation, and Enugu State in particular.

“You have been a transformative leader, and we genuinely appreciate what is evolving in Enugu today in a manner that we have witnessed a rapid development of the state.

“I can assure you that we will continue to work together, think together, and build together a nation that will be a proud place for all our citizens,” he said.

The President urged Governor Mbah to remain focused on the job and ignore distractors.

“Democracy will survive despite all the intimidations. I ignore, and I will advise you—as I will advise myself—stay focused. When you are succeeding and they are angry, leave them in their corner. Stay focused and believe in yourself, as you have been doing. Don’t pay attention to them, because I will not. We stay in our lanes. We stay focused.

“Nigeria of our dream is achievable, and we will definitely build that together. We will not let you down. We will continue to work hard. It is not easy, but we are navigating the rough waterways. We will land this ship very well to steady Nigeria and bring prosperity to our economy,” Tinubu stated.

The President also promised to expedite action on the Port Harcourt – Enugu rail line and other infrastructure to enhance economic growth in the South East region, harping on team work and sustainable funding to grow the nation’s economy.

“We have not embarked upon serious long-term outlook for our country before now. But with people like you—a leader that is so committed, so visionary—Nigeria is on the right trajectory to becoming a very successful, leading African nation.

“But it’s not a one-man orchestra. It’s a collective effort at the national, subnational, and the local government levels,” the President emphasized.

Earlier in his remark, Governor Mbah thanked the president for his inclusive leadership, which had greatly benefitted the people of Enugu State even long before they declared for the ruling party.

He stressed that the president broke a long-standing political distance between this region and the federal government, and crossed party lines when he visited Enugu State to commission projects on January 4, 2025, adding that the visit had since resulted in resolving challenges that had lingered for decades.

“The concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport means Enugu now has a functioning international gateway, and in doing so, it opens up the Southeast – over 30 million people – to the world.

“With the South East Development Commission, you have established a structure for coordinated regional development.

“The extension of the gas pipeline to Enugu will connect the state to the national gas grid and, critically, unlock our own gas reserves, making power generation viable, and shifting Enugu from sitting on stranded resources to becoming an energy hub for the South East.

“On these bases, we will stand proudly with you on election day in January 2027,” Mbah declared.

He equally appreciated the president for the extensive works on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway and Enugu Onitsha Expressway, the swift reconstruction of the collapsed New Artisan Bridge, the 700-metre flyover at Eke Obinagu along the Enugu – Abakaliki Expressway, among other interventions by his administration.

He further thanked ths president for demonstrated trust in Enugu people through key national appointments such the position of the Chief of the Air Staff occupied by Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.

The high-powered delegation included Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani; former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; former Governors of Enugu State, Barr. Sullivan Chime and Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo.

Others on the delegation were serving and former members of the National Assembly, former ministers, traditional and religious leaders, and academics. Some of the leaders came with their spouses to an event described by the president as one of the remarkable moments in his administration.