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Communal Clashes: Senators Sue for Peace in Benue , Ebonyi

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5 years ago

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Worried by the lingering communal Clashes among people of some communities in their States , Senators Abba Moro ( PDP Benue South) and Sam Egwu ( PDP Ebonyi North) , have sued for peace.

The two senators at a joint press conference on Wednesday in Abuja , said the warring communities across the two states should cease fire by allowing the National Boundary Commission to wage in as far as appropriate demarcation of territories are concerned .

The jointly signed press statenent by the Senators reads : ” As the Senators representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District and Benue South Senatorial District, we are here to brief you on recent security concerns that have substantially threatened the peace and development of the people of Ohaukwu and Ado LGAs in our Senatorial Districts.

“On Monday the 12th day of April, 2021, alleged herdsmen invaded Umuogudu Akpu Community, Ngbo, in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State and gruesomely killed over 12 innocent indigenes, burnt/destroyed over 56 houses and kidnapped 5 persons.

” While we were mourning our people and trying to identify the extent of damage, we were surprisingly greeted with a statement by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, without any form of investigation, that the attack was carried out by Agila people, and not Fulani herdsmen.

” This claim, which has the potential of heightening the tension between the two communities has long been refuted and denied by the Chairman of Ado LGA and the Government of Benue State. The people of Ado LGA who have been victims of herdsmen attacks in recent times couldn’t have hired the same people to carry out an attack on their behalf.

“There have been sustained efforts on our part to finally settle the land dispute and restore lasting peace between Ngbo people in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State and the Agila people in Ado LGA of Benue State, which have lingered over the years. Motions have been raised on the floor of the Senate, resolutions passed by the Senate and efforts sustained at the State and Federal levels to ensure that lasting peace is restored between the two communities.

 

“We urge security operatives to move into the affected communities and secure lives and property of the people. We know that both communities have embraced the proposed rebeaconing and delimitation exercise by the National Boundary Commission.

” We therefore urge that the exercise should be carried out with dispatch to finally put to an end all the boundary-related crises in our Senatorial Districts”.

The two federal lawmakers also proffered similar solutions for the Ezza/ Effium crisis .

They said : ” On the Ezza/Effium crisis, which started in Effium community in Ebonyi state and spilled into Ado LGA in Benue State because of the presence of Ezzas/Effiumites in Ado LGA, it is regrettable that the crisis is yet to be contained, leading to the relocation of some Efium and Ezza people to neighboring communities both in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State and Ado LGA of Benue State, thereby creating apprehension in those neighboring communities.

 

“The alleged abduction of Five Elders from Odum Community of Ulayi District, Ado LGA before Easter Sunday has heightened the tension between the affected communities. However, the timely intervention of the government to contain the situation has prevented any form of retaliation or reprisal attack. It was resolved that the Traditional Council of Ado Local Government should reach out to the elders and traditional leaders of Ohaukwu LGA to broker more peaceful negotiations and resolution of the matter.

 

“We therefore call on the Governments of Benue and Ebonyi States to put in greater efforts and in collaboration with relevant Federal Government Agencies to take immediate practical steps to ensure immediate of all adopted persons and restoration of lasting peace between the affected communities.

 

“We urge our people in the affected communities to please apply restraint, avoid all forms of violence, maintain peaceful coexistence and rest assured that we will do everything within our power and influence to ensure the restoration of lasting peace in the affected communities”

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Defence and Security

Police Rescue 75 Kidnap Victims in Kaduna

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3 days ago

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August 22, 2026

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Nigerian Police
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The Kaduna State Police Command has rescued 75 persons abducted by bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state.

The victims, comprising men, women and children, were reportedly travelling in commercial buses when they were attacked and abducted at Folwaya Village, near Birnin Gwari, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

The Command’s spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, disclosed in a statement that the rescue operation followed timely information received from the Birnin Gwari branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

According to him, the armed kidnappers, who were reportedly carrying AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, took the victims into a forest and concealed them inside a cave in a mountainous area.

Hassan said operatives from the Birnin Gwari Area Command were immediately deployed to the location following the report.

He explained that the abductors fled into the forest after sighting the heavily armed security operatives, abandoning the captives, who were subsequently rescued unharmed.

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Rabiu Muhammad, commended the NURTW for providing the timely intelligence that facilitated the operation.

He also praised the Birnin Gwari Area Commander and his personnel for their swift and professional response.

The Commissioner, however, urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, warning against taking the law into their own hands, as such actions could endanger innocent lives.

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Defence and Security

Troops rescue 16 kidnapped victims in Dekina LG of Kogi State

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2 weeks ago

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August 10, 2026

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Troops have rescued 16 kidnapped persons after engaging suspected bandits in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The victims comprised six males, six females and four children, according to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

The report said the victims were abducted on Saturday, Aug. 9 along Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

It said the operation followed intelligence that the victims were sighted around Adumu community in Dekina.

According to the report, the search-and-rescue operation involves troops of 21 Battalion and Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, the police, vigilantes and Hybrid Forces.

“The security forces eventually made contact with the suspected kidnappers and engaged them, forcing the criminals to abandon their victims and flee.

“However, one member of the Hybrid Forces was killed during the encounter, while one police personnel sustained injuries.

“The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the police in Ajaokuta for further action,” it said.

The military said the operation highlights the continued collaboration among the military, police and local security groups in tackling kidnapping and rescuing victims in Kogi

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Defence and Security

Kano Multi Agency Task Force Arrest 28 Illicit Drug Suspects

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2 weeks ago

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August 9, 2026

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The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested 28 suspects and recovered assorted illicit substances in Rimin Gado and Doka communities of the State.

This is contained in a statement  by the Chairman of the Task Force, Mr Muhuyi Malawi and issued by the Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Garba-Muhammad on Sunday in Kano.

Magaji, who led the operation, said it was aimed to tackle drug-related criminality and protect communities from the effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

“On Aug. 7, the task force raided five drug joints in Rimin Gado and Doka in Tofa Local Government Area of the state.

The targeted operation was aimed to demonstrate the task force’s impartial enforcement mandate and to send a clear message that no one is above the law.

“We are treating every community equally and enforcing the law without bias.

“Our guiding principle is Kano First and we are determined to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and drug-free state inline with the vision of Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf,” he said.

Magaji said the task force recovered various assorted illicit substances during the raids.

He said  that he commenced the operations from his hometown Rimin Gado saying it was deliberate and symbolic.

“Sanitising my own community is the first step to a wider campaign,” he added.

He said that the campaign would be extended beyond Kano Metropolis to all  44 Local Government Areas of the state.

The chairman noted that the operation combined kinetic interventions to disrupt criminal activities with coordinated follow-up.

He said the task force would also adopt a balanced approach that would combine enforcement with prevention and recovery.

“While kinetic measures continue to dismantle illicit drug networks, non-kinetic efforts are being intensified through engagement with community leaders, regulatory bodies, health services and educational partners to raises awareness.

“We’ll also strengthen supply‑chain controls and expand rehabilitative support to those affected by substance use” Magaji said.

He stressed that lawful and legitimate businesses were not the target of the operations.

“Our aim is to protect honest traders and create an environment in which businesses and communities can thrive free from the effects of drug trafficking and abuse” he said.

Magaji said investigations were ongoing and suspects found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He urged members of the public to support the ongoing operations by reporting suspicious activities and provide relevant information on drug trafficking and abuse.

The Chairman reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustain its operations, uphold professional standards and safeguard the health and security of residents across the state.

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