Benue Killings: A Nation in Mourning and a State Under Siege

🔥 The Yelewata Massacre: 

A Grim Night to Remember In one of the deadliest attacks this year, armed assailants stormed Yelewata in Benue State between June 13th and 14th, leaving behind a trail of destruction, death, and despair. 

Survivors recall the horror of waking up to flames and gunshots as the attackers set homes ablaze and slaughtered families in their sleep. 

 Death Toll: Estimates range from 100 to 150 people killed, with many bodies burnt beyond recognition. 

 Casualties: Many of the victims were displaced persons sheltering in a local marketplace. 

 Method of Attack: Coordinated night raids, arson, and close-range killings. This tragedy is not isolated. It adds to the long list of coordinated assaults that have turned Benue State into a perpetual mourning ground. --- 

💣 A Pattern of Bloodshed: Earlier Attacks in 2025 Benue has witnessed a series of coordinated attacks throughout the year: April–May 2025: Over 40 people killed across Tyolaha, Aondona, and Ahume. February 2025: Dozens murdered in Gwer West and Otukpo. 2023–2025 Total: Amnesty International estimates over 6,800 people killed in Benue alone. These are not random incidents. They reflect a systemic problem—one rooted in land conflict, politics, religion, and a failing security structure. --- ⚖️ Root Causes of the Benue Conflict The violence in Benue is complex and deeply rooted in: 

 1. Farmer-Herder Clashes: Struggles over land, water, and grazing rights between mostly Christian farmers and Fulani herders. 

2. Religious/Ethnic Tension: The divide between Christian Tiv communities and predominantly Muslim Fulani groups. 

3. Climate Change: Desertification in the north is pushing herders south into farming regions. 

4. Weak Security: Inconsistent enforcement of the Anti-Grazing Law and lack of proactive policing. 

5. Political Allegations: Governor Alia has hinted at political elements fueling the violence for ulterior motives. --- 🚨 Government and Public Response President Bola Tinubu has publicly condemned the killings and is expected to visit Benue for the first time since assuming office. Governor Hyacinth Alia has described the violence as "coordinated" and "terrorist-like." Civil Society & Religious Bodies—including the Catholic Church, CAN, and NBA—are calling for immediate state police and federal action. Yet, locals say they feel abandoned. --- 

 

The Human Cost Displacement: Over 3,000 people were displaced in just the Yelewata attack. Livelihoods Lost: Farms, food stores, and markets destroyed—crippling the economy of Nigeria’s “Food Basket.” Psycho-social Trauma: Women, children, and elderly persons are the worst hit—living in camps with no hope in sight. The humanitarian needs are urgent, and so is the need for justice. --- 🛠️ What Needs to Be Done Here are practical solutions that the government and stakeholders must consider: 

1. Establish State Police: Community-based security systems are urgently needed. 

2. Strengthen Anti-Grazing Enforcement: Laws must be respected and ranching must be encouraged. 

3. Investigate & Prosecute: There must be a full probe into the attacks, especially alleged political sponsors. 

 

4. Promote Dialogue: Use traditional and religious leaders to mediate and restore trust between farmers and herders. 

5. Humanitarian Relief: Support displaced persons with shelter, food, and trauma care. --- ✊ Final Thoughts Benue’s story is Nigeria’s story—one of promise darkened by persistent bloodshed. The Yelewata massacre is not just another news headline; it is a cry for help. Every life lost is a national tragedy, and every day of silence is complicity. If Nigeria must truly be a place of peace and prosperity, then Benue must be protected. The time to act is now. --- 📢 What Can You Do? Share this post to raise awareness. Tag your lawmakers and demand action. Support NGOs working with internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue. Pray for peace, but also speak for justice.

Breaking News: Living Faith Church pastor collapses, dies in Church

Pastor Fred Attabo, Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church, Lokongoma, Lokoja, and the pastor in charge of Kogi have died.

Attabo recently coordinated the distribution of relief materials sent to Kogi state flood victims by the founding father of the church, Bishop David Oyedepo.

According to a source, the pastor was found dead on a chair in his workplace after the morning sports in the church.

The clergyman was reportedly said to be active earlier in the day.

Tinubu Taunt Atiku: I won’t be a part-time president shuttling Dubai, Nigeria

 

Tinubu and Atiku

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, took an indirect swipe at his counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar while wooing the electorate in Kano State.

The former Lagos governor who vowed to devote 100 per cent of his time and energy to serving Nigerians if elected, however, stated that he would not be a part-time president that would spend 50 per cent of his time ruling the country from Dubai.

Recall Atiku is infamous for spending most of his time in Dubai.

The aforesaid remark was obtained in a statement released in Abuja by Tinubu’s Media Officer, Tunde Rahman, shortly after his (Tinubu) interactive session with members of the popular Tijjaniyyah sect in Kano.

The statement reads, “I won’t be a part-time President who will share time between living in Dubai and Nigeria. I would concentrate attention and energy on confronting and surmounting Nigeria’s pressing challenges.”

In attendance at the session held inside Kano Government House were his running mate, Kashim Shettima, and at least six Progressive Governors like Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Babajide Sanwo-olu (Lagos), former APC Interim Chairman, Bisi Akande and some of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) members.

Members of the Tijjaniyyah sect led by leader, Sheikh Bashir Tijjani Usman Zangon Bareebah, presented a long list of issues, during the meeting, the sect wants the APC presidential candidate to address when he gets to office.

Top on the list includes improved electricity, full security, giving agriculture full attention including provision and completion of dams and improved quality education for Nigerians.

Responding, Tinubu argued that the answers to some of the demands were contained in his manifesto that has been unfolded to the whole world last week by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He stressed that he is running to be president because of his commitment to better the lives of all Nigerians.

While assuring the northern business leaders of better business environment with well-thought-out policies that will revitalise industries and open up new opportunities, Tinubu identified the link between Kano as a centre of commerce and his economic plan for Nigeria.

He said: “I promise to devote 100 per cent of my time and energy to serving Nigeria. You will have it better with me, not 50 per cent in Dubai in the United Arab Emirate, 50 per cent in Nigeria.”

“There is a strong nexus between the place of Kano as a centre of prosperity and my plan for Nigeria. What I pledge is a revamped economy which will renew the hope of our people. Our country needs multiple centres of prosperity, and we intend to achieve that by adding value across all sectors of our economy.

“As I said during my speech at the Arewa House, Nigeria is sitting on a goldmine. There is no state in Nigeria that is lacking in one resources or the other. We are determined to explore and exploit these resources to the maximum benefits of our people.

“Kano, for example, has huge agricultural potentials and important mineral resources underneath its ground like gold, silver, nickel, tin ore and columbite. Each of these, if properly harnessed, can add significantly to our economy as a country.

The APC flagbearer added that Kano’s arable land and its comparative advantage in agriculture will be further expanded to make the state and northern region industrial hubs in sub-Saharan Africa.

“The state’s vast arable land and other agricultural potentials, if added to its population will make Kano a force to reckon with in sub-saharan African agro-market. Those who listen to my speech in Kaduna would have heard about my plan for agriculture.

“Aside working with the private sector to make input available that would guarantee greater yield, among other incentives, we will ensure all categories of farmers have easy access to finance through appropriate government and private sector initiatives.

“We have seen the wonders from the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme, and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative. We will consolidate on those gains. Kano’s famous dams such Tiga, Chalawa Gorge, Thomas, Kusalla, etc that are not being maximally tapped will get special attention from my government.

“We will invest in the expansion of irrigation land, channelization of the water, among other initiatives that will ensure we cultivate these lands all year round.

“We will not stop in investing and boosting our agricultural potentials, we will add value throughout the value chain.

Through Commodity Exchange markets, we will link markets like Dawanau in Kano and Gujungu in Jigawa with international markets and boost return on investment for our farmers.

“The overall aim is to move the nation from import oriented to export-oriented economy where grains from Kano will be exported to the world market rather than us buying from other countries.

“I know of the commercial exploits of some of you, traders and businessmen in Kwari Textile Market, Sabongari Market, Singer Market and the famous grain market in Dawanau which transacts with the rest of West Africa. These commercial activities alone can provide the state with enough IGR to maintain itself with the right support and policies.

“Beyond trading and commerce, I have a special interest in addressing the problem of the dead or comatose Kano industrial estates in Sharada, Bompai, Panshekara, Jogana, etc, which were vibrant in 70s and 80s. We understand the reason why those companies collapsed and we have a plan to revive them and make them competitive.

“We will provide incentives for industrial development nationwide through institutions like the Bank of Industry. There will be a deliberate policy to create industrial hubs and free zones specific to every region. For Kano, we will give attention to agro-allied industries such as textiles, tomato paste, rice processing, animal feeds, etc, in line with the state’s competitive advantages,” he promised.

BREAKING: Obi Is The Right Man To Fix Nigeria

Governor Ortom. 

Governor  Samuel Ortom of Benue State, has emphasized deeply  his call for the presidential candidates of the major political parties, to rally behind the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, who he described as a noble man in all ramifications of life, tested and trusted, and has the needed integrity, character and capacity to fix the nation.

Ortom made the call when Obi visited him to commiserate with him over the destruction of lives and means of livelihood, by the recent floods which swept through Benue and some other states in Nigeria. He lamented that Nigeria was surviving on life support and needs a true leader who can turn things around for the nation. He said that if the people did not live above ethnic, tribal and partisan sentiments, they would not be able to vote in the true leader who is most qualified to lead the nation.

“Nigeria is sick and surviving on oxygen. The country is on life support and everything is in disarray. Let us therefore put aside partisanship and join hands to salvage the country. I have said before and I am repeating this again, we must look at the 3 major candidates and see who has the capacity to deliver this country and make things work. Let us be frank with ourselves because we are toying with the future of 200 million people.Nigeria deserves a better leadership that is proactive, foresighted and visionary and Obi is that man.”

What is your thought?

Breaking: APC Government To Leave N 39.12 Trillion For Successor

Buhari to leave N39.12trillion naira For his successor. The PUNCH newspaper has it on front page that the current president of Nigeria is to vacate officer after his tenure with a whooping debt for his successor.

This is the greatest leadership failure of all time. Are you kidding me?. 

How on Earth did Nigeria get to this level of electing gradeA incompetence for a president

Obasanjo gives up seat for Peter Obi at event

 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the centre of attraction at an event after he offered his seat to Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The dramatic incident took place at an event organised to celebrate the national award given to the President of the African Export-Import Bank, Prof. Benedict Oramah.

In a viral video, the former president was seen calling up Obi who was sitting at table nine, and then leading him to table one.

The switch was greeted with applause by the audience in attendance.

As he went forward to pick the former Anambra State governor from his former seat, Obasanjo said, “In the presence of Nigerians”.

After leading Obi to table one, he declared, “My job is done”.

It will be recalled that Obasanjo is yet to endorse a presidential candidate for the forthcoming poll with speculations wide that Obi might be his preferred candidate.

Prior to the event, the Labour Party flagbearer has been involved in a series of closed-door meetings with the former president.

Obasanjo also took part in Obi’s meeting with Governor Nyesom Wike and his group in London recently.

BREAKING: ASUU suspends strike after eight months.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has suspended its eight month old strike, INFOPACKED can authoritatively confirm.

Though the union is yet to make an official pronouncement, our correspondent gathered that the decision was taken at the end of the National Executive Council meeting which was held at the ASUU secretariat in Abuja.

Speaking with our correspondent, a highly informed source within the NEC said, “Yes, it has been called off”.

When asked for more details, the source said, “the president will release an official circular in the morning”.

Detail Soon....

Breaking: Appeal Court acquits Nnamdi Kanu, Renders FG’s charges null and void

 

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, quashed the terrorism charge the Federal Government preferred against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

It discharged and acquitted him of the seven-count charge pending against him before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The appellate court, in a decision by a three-man panel led by Justice Jummai Hanatu, said it was satisfied that FG flagrantly violated the law, when it forcefully rendered Kanu from Kenya to the country for the continuation of his trial.

It held that such extra-ordinary rendition, without adherence to due process of the law, was a gross violation of all international conventions, protocols and guidelines that Nigeria is signatory to, as well as a breach of the Appellant’s fundamental human rights.

The appellate court noted that FG failed to refute the allegation that the IPOB leader was in Kenya and that he was abducted and brought back to the country without any extradition proceeding.

It held that FG was “ominously silent on the issue” which it described as very pivotal in determining whether the trial court would still have the jurisdiction to continue with the criminal proceeding before it.

“In law, that is a costly failure and such failure is an admittance by the Respondent.

“Where a party fails to controvert a deposition by an opponent, the issue not contested is deemed conceded”, the court held, adding that the onus was on FG to prove the legality of the Appellant’s arrest and return from Kenya.

More so, the court noted that Nigeria is a signatory to OAU Convention which it ratified on April 28, 2022, as well as the Charter of Human and Peoples Rights, which it said prescribed how a wanted person could be transferred from one country to the other.

It held that any extradition request must be in writing, with a statement indicating offences for which a person is wanted.

The appellate court held that FG’s action tainted the entire proceeding it initiated against Kanu and amounted to “an abuse of criminal prosecution in general”.

“The court will never shy away from calling the Executive to order when it tilts towards Executive recklessness”, the Appellate court held, even as it accused FG of engaging in “serious abuse of power”.

Nevertheless, the appellate court said it would be pre-judicial for it to make an order on the proscription of IPOB since the issue is still on appeal.

It held that the proscription order by the lower court would subsist until it is set-aside.

Nollywood Superstar Appointed As The Spokesman Of Peter Obi Campaign Council

 “Thanks to God,” Kenneth Okonkwo Says on His Appointment As the Spokesman of Peter Obi’s Campaign Council.

Buy your products from savanchee market place. Check it out now

Popular Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo who recently decamped from the ruling APC to join the Labour Party, has been given a juicy appointment on the campaign council of Peter Obi The veteran, in a message shared on his social media handle, gave thanks to the almighty God for being appointed as the spokesperson of the Peter Obi Presidential campaign council He also begged and prayed for the continued support shown so far to the Obidient movement not to dwindle but rather grow more.

 

The Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo seems to be the man of the moment as he takes to his social media pages to give thanks to the almighty after he was appointed as the spokesperson of the Peter Obi Presidential campaign council. An official list of names was released on Wednesday, October 13, 2022, and some notable celebrity names were seen on the Labour Party Presidential campaign council.

INTERVIEW: Obi Nailed APC and PDP Disclose How To Tackle Nigerian Numerous Issues If Given The Mandate

 Presidency: APC, PDP Nailed as BBC Interviews Peter Obi

Peter Obi has pointed out that one of the biggest problems Nigeria is currently facing is insecurity The Labour Party's presidential candidate made this disclosure on Tuesday, October 11, during a BBC interview *Obi* stated that if given the mandate in 2023, he will establish a responsible and responsive security architecture. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in a BBC interview on Tuesday, October 11, spoke on the number one priority of Nigeria amid preparations for the 2023 general elections. Insecurity.

During the interview anchored by BBC's Peter Okwoche, Obi stated that Nigeria's first major issue which is crying for practical address is security. Obi Nigeria's biggest problem is insecurity Source: Original For the former Anambra governor, security affects so much of the country's national life, which is why he said he will put in place a responsible and responsible architecture if Nigerians give him the mandate in 2023.  

He noted that if the country is secured, farmers will return to their farmlands and this will solve two problems: overcome food inflation and increase Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Obi said: "If you deal with it [security] today, you deal with inflation because farmers would go back to farms and that would reduce food inflation." Political structure Asked how he plans to win the coming presidential election without a 'structure', considering that no one from his party has any elective positive anywhere in Nigeria, Obi said citizens should pay attention to what brought the country to where it is now. In Obi's view, Nigeria's current condition is the cumulative effect of bad leadership over the years by the same people who are in office today.

campaign chairman says Obi disclosed that he plans to remove the structure that has plunged Nigeria into poverty, insecurity, doom, and international disgrace. His words: "The structure that has kept us where we are, the structure that has produced the highest number of people in poverty in any country, the structure that has produced the highest number of out-of-school children, that is the structure we want to remove."

Peter Obi speaks to CNN, reveals his plans for Nigerians Meanwhile, Obi explained what he plans to do to take Nigeria out of its current economic state. The presidential candidate of the Labour Party made the explanation while speaking in an interview with Zain Asher on CNN. The former Anambra state governor said the first thing he plans to do is to put security in place.

Tompolo Intercepts Massive Vessel Loaded With Illegal Crude Oil in Delta State

 

The pipeline surveillance contract recently awarded to Tantita Security Services Limited by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to assist curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the country, appears to be yielding targeted results.

Tantita Security Personnel on Thursday, October 7, 2022 successfully arrested a crude oil tanker, MT Deinmo, with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number 7210526, loaded with an unspecified quantity of crude oil at the Escravos River in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta state.

In addition to the ship, eight (8) crew members were also apprehended by the Tantita Security personnel.

Tantita Security Services Limited is an organization owned by High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation and leader of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND).

One of the security personnel who was part of the operation told GbaramatuVoice that, they got a tip off that a ship was loading at the Escravos axis. The security personnel went to the place and got the ship arrested. The Tantita security expert further added that he was offered a bribe of N25m to let the ship go but he turned down the offer.

On the capacity of the ship, he explained that the ship is 1,500 metric tons and had on board eight all Nigerian crew members.

While noting that the captain confessed that they came in from Lagos and that if they were not arrested, the ship would have sailed back to Lagos.

Meanwhile, we understand that the intercepted ship has been handed over to the Nigerian Navy on Saturday.

It would be recalled that team of Tantita Security Services led by its Managing Director, Engr. Kestin Pondi, on Friday, took security operatives and oil industry leaders, including Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mallam Mele Kyari, among others to site of the discovered illegal oil pipeline deftly plugged into the Trans-Escravos pipeline.

Three Killed 20 Trucks Burnt in Delta

 A protest, yesterday, by angry youths of Otowodo community in Ughelli North Council of Delta State, against alleged raids by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has resulted to three being killed and over 20 trucks set ablaze by irate youths.

A protest was carried out by youths in Ughelli and Warri against the EFCC operations in the areas.

But the protest in Ughelli took a violent dimension when, according to an eyewitness, soldiers were invited to quell the protest. In the process of dispersing the angry protesters, soldiers reportedly shot three of the protesters dead.

The protesters responded by setting ablaze trucks loaded with different merchandise, parked along the road in the Otowodo axis.

At time of sending this report, bellows of smoke from burning trucks still fill the air. Calls put across to the Ughelli North Council Chairman, Godwin Adode, to react to the incident, were unanswered.

An eyewitness, who spoke with The Guardian yesterday, said: “Many youths gathered this morning at Otowodo junction to protest EFCC’s frequent harassment. They said the boys were Yahoo boys. As the protest was going on, soldiers arrived and started shooting to disperse the protesters.

“In the unpleasant situation, three of the protesters were killed, the youths then went haywire and began attacking and robbing people. They attacked drivers of trucks caught in the gridlock and set fire to their vehicles.”