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Our attackers come in from Nasarawa – Benue monarch, Tor Tiv tells Tinubu

The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, has raised alarm over persistent cross-border attacks on Benue communities, alleging that perpetrators often strike from neighbouring Nasarawa State and retreat there after carrying out assaults. The monarch made the remarks on Tuesday, during the official visist by Senator Oluremi Tinubu to the state.
Our attackers come in from Nasarawa – Benue monarch, Tor Tiv tells Tinubu

The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, has raised alarm over persistent cross-border attacks on Benue communities, alleging that perpetrators often strike from neighbouring Nasarawa State and retreat there after carrying out assaults.

The monarch made the remarks on Tuesday, during the official visist by Senator Oluremi Tinubu to the state.

The visit included meetings with state officials, traditional rulers and internally displaced persons, IDPs, as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative outreach.

“Your Excellency Ma, our attackers come from Nasarawa State. After attacking us, they withdraw and go back to Nasarawa State,” Prof. Ayatse told the First Lady in the presence of state dignitaries and traditional council members.

He urged Mrs Tinubu to convey the concerns of the Tiv people to President Bola Tinubu, stressing that peace in Benue could only be achieved through decisive federal intervention.

The monarch commended the First Lady for showing solidarity with victims of violence in the state and for her humanitarian efforts through the Renewed Hope Initiative.

Senator Tinubu, visibly moved by the monarch’s plea, assured him that she would relay the message to the president.

She reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to restoring peace and supporting displaced and traumatised communities.

Our attackers come in from Nasarawa – Benue monarch, Tor Tiv tells Tinubu

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Nigerian government unveils prosecution guidelines for cases involving children

As part of concerted efforts to further Child Right Protection, the federal government on Tuesday, unveiled the Prosecution Guidelines for handling cases involving children and Legal Aid Guidelines for children in conflict with with the law and child victims. The two national instruments were unveiled by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of
Nigerian government unveils prosecution guidelines for cases involving children

As part of concerted efforts to further Child Right Protection, the federal government on Tuesday, unveiled the Prosecution Guidelines for handling cases involving children and Legal Aid Guidelines for children in conflict with with the law and child victims.

The two national instruments were unveiled by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice AGF, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi in Abuja on behalf of the federal government.

According to Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, the two instruments are aimed at strengthening the administration of justice for children in Nigeria.

Speaking at the occasion, the AGF said the launch of the guidelines was both timely and imperative as it reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to child protection in alignment with global best practices and the Child’s Rights Act, 2003.

He said that the guidelines represented a major stride in institutionalizing a justice system that recognizes the distinct circumstances, vulnerabilities, and needs of children, whether in conflict with the law, in contact with the law, or as victims of abuse, exploitation, or other circumstances.

Developed through a collaborative effort involving the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, UNICEF, and other key partners, Fagbemi explained that the instruments emerged from extensive consultations, expert reviews, and a shared resolve to close critical gaps in the justice delivery framework for children.

He said that the instruments reinforced Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified in 1991 and domesticated in 2003.

The AGF lamented that while many states in Nigeriae have adopted the Child’s Rights Law, significant implementation gaps remained, particularly in areas of prosecution and access to legal representation for children.

He, however, hinted that the new guidelines directly address those challenges and bridge the gaps in justice administration in the best interest of the children.

Giving insight into their importance, the AGF said “The Prosecution Guidelines provide ethical, practical, and child-sensitive standards for prosecutors. They promote discretion, dignity, and the use of non-custodial measures such as diversion, restorative justice, and community-based interventions.

“Prosecutors are urged to address the root causes of offending behaviour and prioritise rehabilitation over retribution, in line with both national and international standards.

“The Legal Aid Guidelines, on the other hand, expand access to justice by ensuring timely and quality legal representation for children in conflict or contact with the law, as well as for child victims.

“They define roles and procedures, promote legal literacy, and support child-sensitive mechanisms for redress. Importantly, they reinforce the need for perpetrators of crimes against children to be held accountable with effective and dissuasive sanctions.

“These Guidelines promote an integrated, cross-sectoral approach that ensures prosecutors, legal aid providers, law enforcement, social workers, and judicial officers act cohesively in the best interests of the child.

“Collectively, they advance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for a reformed, rights-based, compassionate, and effective justice system.

“I call on all federal and state actors to immediately adopt and integrate these Guidelines into daily practice. Our objective must not be to launch them ceremoniously only to shelve them.

“Rather, we must operationalize them—through training, resource allocation, and institutional support—to drive meaningful reform.

The Minister thanked UNICEF, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Bar Association and all partners who made the two Guidelines possible.

He charged them to continue to work together to build a justice system where every Nigerian child, regardless of background or circumstance, is treated with fairness, compassion, and dignity.

“These guidelines are a foundation for that promise. Our children deserve no less”, he said.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Director Administration of Criminal Justice Reform Department, Fedral Ministry of Justice Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels said the event marked a significant milestone, not only because of the documents launched but due to their profound implications.

According to her, the guidelines embodied a renewed collective commitment to protecting children’s rights, ensuring procedural fairness, and promoting rehabilitative and restorative justice approaches for minors in contact with the law.

“They are practical tools that will enable justice actors to respond consistently, lawfully, and compassionately when working with children, reflecting core child justice principles such as the best interest of the child, proportionality, and a preference for diversion and non-custodial measures”, she said.

Nigerian government unveils prosecution guidelines for cases involving children

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Group passes vote of no confidence on Defence minister, Badaru over insecurity

A civil advocacy coalition based in Kaduna, the Arewa Action Group, AAG, has said the office of the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, ought to be declared vacant, following the worsening insecurity in the northern region. While giving an assessment of the region’s security, the group expressed deep frustration over what it termed the
Group passes vote of no confidence on Defence minister, Badaru over insecurity

A civil advocacy coalition based in Kaduna, the Arewa Action Group, AAG, has said the office of the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, ought to be declared vacant, following the worsening insecurity in the northern region.

While giving an assessment of the region’s security, the group expressed deep frustration over what it termed the lack of coordination in handling one of the most sensitive roles in the nation’s security architecture.

In a press statement, signed by the group’s president, Comrade Ibrahim Adamu Bature, the AAG alleged gross incompetence and lack of strategy required to confront the scale of insecurity in the region.

The statement read, “For all practical purposes, the office of the Minister of Defence is vacant. Mr Badaru has not shown any strategic seriousness or political coordination required to confront the scale of insecurity Nigeria is currently facing. His continued stay in office is a grave disservice to the country and especially to northern communities being slaughtered daily without response,” Bature said.

The group lamented that despite occupying such a critical post, Badaru has failed to provide any concrete roadmap or vision for strengthening Nigeria’s defence posture or synchronising efforts across the armed forces, intelligence services, and the political leadership.

The Arewa Action Group alleged that the Defence Minister’s lacklustre performance has coincided with a sharp deterioration of security across the north, from Sokoto to Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, Plateau, and Borno States.

It claimed that the absence of firm civilian oversight of military operations has created a vacuum being exploited by terrorists, bandits, and insurgents.

“Insecurity has worsened because there is no political leadership at the top of the Defence Ministry. Service chiefs are left to operate in silos. No one is setting a clear agenda or holding anyone accountable. What we are seeing is a Ministry of Defence reduced to the execution of fencing contracts and furniture procurement, not one fit for the battlefield,” the statement added.

The group said while President Tinubu has demonstrated commitment by enhancing military funding and initiating new security collaborations with regional partners, these efforts are being undermined by the “absence of competent civilian leadership” at the Ministry of Defence.

“President Tinubu must act now to rescue the Defence Ministry from the grip of passivity. He needs a serious-minded person who understands strategy, who can liaise with service chiefs, brief the President candidly, engage the National Assembly robustly, and reassure Nigerians that this government is in charge,” Bature urged.

The AAG further warned that with the security architecture failing in the north and morale among soldiers and citizens alike wearing thin, the stakes are too high for mediocrity and political appointments that prioritise loyalty over performance.

“This is not a ceremonial post. Nigerians need a Defence Minister who is present, proactive, and politically mature to align the military’s efforts with civilian expectations,” the group insisted.

In conclusion, group passed a vote of no confidence on Minister Badaru and called on President Tinubu to immediately appoint a more qualified and serious individual with the competence and will to lead the Ministry of Defence.

“Nigeria is at war. This is not the time for trial-and-error leadership. We call on Mr President to put the interest of Nigerians above politics,” Bature said.

Group passes vote of no confidence on Defence minister, Badaru over insecurity

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BREAKING: Armed herdsmen kill farmer in renewed attacks in Benue

A young man identified as Lucky Tsetim has reportedly been killed by suspected armed at Tse-Kalema in Mbazun, Atogbenda, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. Local sources say he was attacked while working on his farm on Tuesday. The killing has sparked fresh fears among residents, who say Fulani attacks in Tse-Kalema are becoming
BREAKING: Armed herdsmen kill farmer in renewed attacks in Benue

A young man identified as Lucky Tsetim has reportedly been killed by suspected armed at Tse-Kalema in Mbazun, Atogbenda, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

Local sources say he was attacked while working on his farm on Tuesday.

The killing has sparked fresh fears among residents, who say Fulani attacks in Tse-Kalema are becoming increasingly frequent.

They are calling on security agencies to urgently intervene and restore peace in the area.

As of press time, no official response has been issued by the authorities as calls to the Spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command,DSP, Udeme Edet was not returned.

BREAKING: Armed herdsmen kill farmer in renewed attacks in Benue

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Northern elites to blame for region’s woes –Ex-Niger Gov, Aliyu

Former Niger State Governor and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Dr Mu’azu Aliyu, says Northern Nigeria’s persistent challenges are the product of elite complacency, institutional neglect, and decades of misguided policy choices that long predate the current administration. Speaking at the opening of a two-day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens’
Northern elites to blame for region’s woes –Ex-Niger Gov, Aliyu

Former Niger State Governor and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Dr Mu’azu Aliyu, says Northern Nigeria’s persistent challenges are the product of elite complacency, institutional neglect, and decades of misguided policy choices that long predate the current administration.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens’ Engagement, held at the Arewa House, Kaduna, Aliyu said while the Tinubu administration inherited many of the region’s problems, Northern political and intellectual elites must accept part of the responsibility.

“Our problems didn’t start today, and they weren’t caused solely by this government.

“Many of us who watched and did nothing must also bear the blame. We failed to act when it mattered most,” he said.

DAILY POST reports that the engagement, convened by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, builds on its 2022 meeting with presidential candidates and aims to deepen inclusive governance through structured dialogue between policymakers and citizens across Northern Nigeria.

Aliyu listed insurgency, banditry, poverty, the growing number of out-of-school children, porous borders, and youth unemployment as urgent concerns, warning that the growing disconnect between governments and citizens is fueling mistrust, misinformation, and public frustration.

The former Niger governor advocated institutionalised town hall-style meetings nationwide, citing successful global examples where such civic engagement has shaped policy and strengthened democracy.

He further reaffirmed the foundation’s non-partisan stance, stressing its commitment to promoting leadership rooted in justice, equity, and good governance.

Northern elites to blame for region’s woes –Ex-Niger Gov, Aliyu

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Rights activist demands prosecution of officers who allegedly extorted suspect of N500k

Human rights activist, Israel Joe has asked the Delta State Police Command to also prosecute its officers who allegedly collected the sum of N500,000 from a woman arrested alongside an eleven year old girl for illicit drugs. Joe made the call in a telephone chat with Our Correspondent in Warri, saying the suspect and the
Rights activist demands prosecution of officers who allegedly extorted suspect of N500k

Human rights activist, Israel Joe has asked the Delta State Police Command to also prosecute its officers who allegedly collected the sum of N500,000 from a woman arrested alongside an eleven year old girl for illicit drugs.

Joe made the call in a telephone chat with Our Correspondent in Warri, saying the suspect and the minor who were arrested by policemen from Ekpan Division have been transferred to Asaba for possibl prosecution.

He alleged that the state police command was shielding its men from a crime rather than prosecuting them alongside the woman.

Citing section 98 of the Criminal Code, Israel Joe said the offence is imprisonment if anyone gives or receives such monies, describing it as official corruption.

He said that Section 99 stipulates three years imprisonment for public officials who receive such moneies, noting that the matter was made public after the human rights community raised alarm over the alleged arrest and subsequent release of the woman and the minor.

He alleged that the Police re-arrested the suspect insisting, they intend to prosecute the woman and the minor even after she had been released.”

He asked, “On what condition was the suspect released in the first instance? The PPRO in a statement said the Command is investigating the allegations by the woman.

Joe alleged that the Ekpan Division of the Police Force was becoming notorious for extortion, stressing the need for the Delta State Police Commissioner, Olufemi Abaniwonda and the Division itself to checkmate its men and tackle issues of alleged extortion.

He said the allegations were damaging the image of the Police Force.

Rights activist demands prosecution of officers who allegedly extorted suspect of N500k