• Hot Source
• Uncategorized
• June 15, 2025
• 7 views

Benue crises: Tinubu orders security action in Benue, tasks Governor Alia with reconciliation

President Bola Tinubu has issued a firm directive to Nigeria’s security chiefs, instructing them to implement his earlier orders to restore peace and order in violence-stricken areas, with particular emphasis on Benue State. Tinubu also tasked the governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, with the urgent responsibility of convening reconciliation meetings among the conflicting groups
Benue crises: Tinubu orders security action in Benue, tasks Governor Alia with reconciliation

President Bola Tinubu has issued a firm directive to Nigeria’s security chiefs, instructing them to implement his earlier orders to restore peace and order in violence-stricken areas, with particular emphasis on Benue State.

Tinubu also tasked the governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, with the urgent responsibility of convening reconciliation meetings among the conflicting groups within the state.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, President Tinubu called on Governor Alia to urgently initiate dialogue between warring parties, including farmers, herders, and local communities.

“The purpose of this is to end the cycle of violence and foster peaceful coexistence,” he said.

Describing the killings as “inhuman and anti-progress,” the President urged political and community leaders to refrain from making unguarded statements that could inflame tensions further.

He also warned against any provocative actions that could escalate the violence.

“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough,” he said.

“I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them. Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings,” he added.

In addition, the President emphasised the need for a collective and united approach to peacebuilding, calling on Governor Alia to lead a process of dialogue and reconciliation.

“This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue. Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness, and justice,” the statement concluded.

Benue crises: Tinubu orders security action in Benue, tasks Governor Alia with reconciliation

• Hot Source
• Uncategorized
• June 15, 2025
• 6 views

Creation of Anioma State done deal – Senator Ned Nwoko

Senator representing Delta North senatorial district, Prince Ned Nwoko, has assured leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that the creation of Anioma State is effectively a done deal. Speaking on Saturday at Idumuje-Ugboko, his country home in Aniocha Local Government Area, Nwoko revealed that all necessary steps had been taken in the
Creation of Anioma State done deal – Senator Ned Nwoko

Senator representing Delta North senatorial district, Prince Ned Nwoko, has assured leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that the creation of Anioma State is effectively a done deal.

Speaking on Saturday at Idumuje-Ugboko, his country home in Aniocha Local Government Area, Nwoko revealed that all necessary steps had been taken in the Senate, adding that 75 senators are in support of the state’s creation.

”We are on course. The technical committee will be inaugurated in Asaba, to help me to work towards actualising the creation of Anioma state.

”If you were at Agbor during APC stakeholders gathering, you heard when the National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Umar Ganduje said the creation of Anioma State is a done deal.

”We have moved from the committee stage of the process to public hearing coming up in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Thereafter, we will come back to the Senate for third reading of the bill for the creation of Anioma State,” the senator assured.

Supporting the statement, APC chieftain Chief Emma Ejiofor called for unity and commitment among stakeholders in pursuit of Anioma State’s creation. He warned that any member of the Delta State House of Assembly from the senatorial district who fails to support the cause would face recall by constituents.

Also speaking, Hon Nicholas Ossai, a former member of the House of Representatives, reiterated the feasibility of the proposed state.

“We must support Senator Ned Nwoko to achieve this feat because when we have our state, we will have more local government areas created, and many other benefits in the new state. Anioma State should be supported by everybody.”

Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei, emphasised the need for reconciliation among aggrieved members of the party to ensure unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We are not having a party to divide us. We are having a party to unify and unite everybody. We must unite the party, particularly in Delta North,” Ochei stated.

Creation of Anioma State done deal – Senator Ned Nwoko

• Hot Source
• Uncategorized
• June 15, 2025
• 7 views

Benue is bleeding’ – Aida Nath Ogwuche writes Tinubu, demands urgent action over insecurity

Amid the spate of brutal killings and growing insecurity in Benue State, a legal practitioner and advocate for justice, Barrister Aida Nath Ogwuche, has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appealing for urgent and decisive intervention to stem the tide of violence engulfing the state. The open letter, titled “Benue is Bleeding”,
Benue is bleeding’ – Aida Nath Ogwuche writes Tinubu, demands urgent action over insecurity

Amid the spate of brutal killings and growing insecurity in Benue State, a legal practitioner and advocate for justice, Barrister Aida Nath Ogwuche, has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appealing for urgent and decisive intervention to stem the tide of violence engulfing the state.

The open letter, titled “Benue is Bleeding”, comes in the wake of the most recent attack on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 persons reportedly lost their lives in a single night of carnage.

Ogwuche, expressing deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Benue, described the state—once famed as Nigeria’s food basket—as being on the brink of becoming a mass grave.

“I write to you today with a heavy heart as a mother and daughter of Benue State, compelled by the dire situation we face,” she began.

In the letter, Ogwuche lamented the alarming rate of attacks, kidnappings, and mass killings ravaging rural farming communities. She noted that the violence has crippled livelihoods, displaced families, and paralysed a largely agrarian economy.

“It is with deep concern that I bring to your attention the worsening insecurity in our state. The recent wave of violent attacks, kidnappings, and bloodshed has plunged our people into fear, crippling livelihoods and paralyzing the economy of a state largely sustained by farming,” she stated.

The lawyer issued a heartfelt plea to the President, urging him to rise to the occasion and protect the defenceless citizens of Benue.

“I humbly appeal to you, Mr. President, to heed our cries and intervene to save the lives of Benue’s people. We have nowhere else to turn,” she wrote.

Ogwuche painted a grim picture of daily life in the state, revealing that even essential activities such as farming have become life-threatening.

“Worse still, it is farming season, yet our people who feed the nation cannot tend to their fields without fear. Countless farmers have been found lifeless on their own farms, murdered simply for striving to feed their families and contribute to society,” she wrote.

She called for concrete action, including the deployment of more security forces, better intelligence gathering, cross-border coordination with neighbouring states, and the declaration of a state of emergency in the worst-hit areas.

“In light of this, I respectfully urge your administration to take immediate and decisive action, including: deploying additional security forces to Benue State; coordinating with neighbouring states to secure our borders; strengthening intelligence efforts and community collaboration to prevent attacks; addressing root causes through sustainable, long-term solutions; and declaring a state of emergency in the worst-affected areas to restore order swiftly,” she wrote.

Concluding her appeal, Ogwuche emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating: “The people of Benue deserve peace, safety, and the protection of their government. I implore you, Mr. President, to act without delay, lives hang in the balance. We would be profoundly grateful for your swift intervention.”

Benue is bleeding’ – Aida Nath Ogwuche writes Tinubu, demands urgent action over insecurity

• Hot Source
• Uncategorized
• June 15, 2025
• 12 views

Kinsmen raise alarm over assassination plot against Abia Lands Commissioner

Indigenes of Ngodo Isuochi in Umunnochi LGA of Abia State have condemned, in the strongest terms, the failed plot to assassinate their son, Chaka Ikenna Chukwumerije. Chukwumerije, who is the Abia State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, was attacked on Saturday, June 7, 2025, by unidentified gunmen who riddled his official vehicle with bullets. He,
Kinsmen raise alarm over assassination plot against Abia Lands Commissioner

Indigenes of Ngodo Isuochi in Umunnochi LGA of Abia State have condemned, in the strongest terms, the failed plot to assassinate their son, Chaka Ikenna Chukwumerije.

Chukwumerije, who is the Abia State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, was attacked on Saturday, June 7, 2025, by unidentified gunmen who riddled his official vehicle with bullets. He, however, miraculously escaped unhurt.

Speaking about the incident in a press statement, the Ngodo Town Development Union Youth Wing, NTDUYW, alleged that the attack was a well-conceived act specifically targeted at the commissioner.

The statement, which was signed by the President of the Union, Ekeledirichukwu Marvelous Agha, and Secretary, Obioma Anyikwa, stated that Chukwumerije was attacked around the Okigwe area of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway while returning from his community to Umuahia.

NTDUYW alleged that the attack may have been politically motivated.

“From the nature of the attack, the ambush on his vehicle, and the relentless pursuit of him by the criminals after he narrowly escaped from the scene, it is deducible that what happened on that day was not just a random criminal act but a well-conceived targeted attack on the Hon. Chukwumerije,” the statement said.

The people of Ngodo Isuochi also thanked Governor Alex Otti for his ongoing efforts to tackle the scourge of insecurity and restore peace in Umunnochi, praising his achievements in office within the past two years and assuring him of their continued support.

NTDUYW concluded by appealing to Governor Alex Otti to mandate the relevant security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation that would expose the masterminds of the assassination plot and bring them to justice.

Kinsmen raise alarm over assassination plot against Abia Lands Commissioner