Month: February 2026

A group of professional journalists operating under the auspices of the Edda Media Practitioners has alleged a subtle and imminent attack on the people of Oso Edda in the Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State by assailants from the Amasiri clan in the Afikpo Local Government Area of the state.

The coordinator of the media group, Ikenna Emewu, stated this during a press conference in Abakaliki on Monday, adding that over 11 voice notes recorded in the Amasiri dialect and currently trending on different WhatsApp platforms, which have been reviewed by this medium, indicated that another attack was being planned by warlords from the area against the Edda community.

It was reported that no fewer than four persons were killed and beheaded, and another abducted, when hoodlums from the Amasiri clan allegedly attacked Okporojo village in the Idima Edda community of the state on January 29, 2026. The incident also led to the destruction of houses and other properties worth millions of naira.

The incident, our correspondent gathered, attracted widespread condemnation from within and outside the country, prompting Governor Francis Nwifuru to sack all political appointees, shut down schools, and declare a curfew in the area.

According to Mr. Emewu, the people of Edda have lost no fewer than 14 persons and over 29 houses since the Amasiri assailants launched attacks on them.

“We first of all want to use this opportunity to appreciate Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State for his efforts in ensuring that peace returns to Oso Edda after his intervention to stave off more bloodshed from the Amasiri attackers.

“We also want to state that we have indisputable evidence that the nine attacks on Oso Edda at three locations between June 2023 and January 2026 were carried out by Amasiri, a neighbouring town to Edda. We are convinced that the volume of security intelligence at the disposal of the government and security agencies supports our claims.

“This press briefing became necessary as we have collected additional evidence of the collective complicity of Amasiri in masterminding and executing the series of violent attacks on Oso Edda over the years.

“The attacks have cost us 14 lives, resulted in the abduction of two others whose whereabouts are unknown, and led to the burning of over 29 houses, acres of farmland, and other valuables over three years.

“However, the timely, lawful, and dutiful intervention during the last onslaught on January 29, 2026, has brought some relief to our people. That is why we decided to cooperate with the Ebonyi State leadership and not take any unlawful action.

“In the meantime, in addition to supporting the government’s moves and working with the security forces on the ground, we have been diligently monitoring incidents to ensure we are never caught unawares again by Amasiri’s agents of violence.

“Our duty of alertness was activated two days into the curfew when people from Amasiri started circulating false information on social media claiming that two soldiers were killed in Oso Edda to tarnish our image, already marred with the blood of the innocent. But that attempt failed because no such killing occurred.

“To confirm that it was a lie manufactured by the assailants’ propaganda machine, on February 4, the Nigerian Army, through the Commander of the Abakaliki Cantonment, Lt. Col. Emmanuel Chielo, addressed the press to debunk the claim,” he said.

He added, “In the past two days, we have received nine recorded voice messages circulating on WhatsApp and spoken in the Amasiri dialect detailing plans to attack Oso Edda again at any time.

“The plans, as contained in these voice clips in our possession, also include an intention to attack Nigerian soldiers stationed at Amasiri on a peace mission.

“On February 10, we made public other messages circulated by them in which two individuals admitted to participating in the past attack on Okporojo.

“This time, the messages reveal a plan to provoke soldiers on the ground at Amasiri into a clash, then escape and lead the soldiers to Oso Edda. When that happens, their men in ambush would attack the soldiers, create a social media narrative that the Edda people killed the soldiers, and provoke the soldiers to retaliate against Edda.

“The attackers’ strategy is intended to distract the soldiers and provide an opportunity to launch another brutal assault on Edda, with any casualties blamed on the military.

“The plan is not only to attack Edda again but also to lure the Nigerian Army into unprofessionalism and random killings in Oso Edda. Their agenda is to tarnish the reputation of the Nigerian Army, whose operatives have been diligent and orderly in their peace mission in Amasiri since their deployment on January 31.

“They boasted in one of the voice clips that they were spiritually fortified after visiting four towns in Cross River State to obtain protection from gunfire. They claim that as long as they remain on Amasiri soil, they cannot be harmed by soldiers’ gunfire, which is why they aim to confront the soldiers at worst-case scenarios.

“Before this public statement, we had already passed the audio clips to the relevant security agencies and alerted them of impending violence by the Amasiri assailants.

“Given the importance of the media in public awareness, I urge you to disseminate this message widely so the public understands that we are not crying wolf. We hope it will be acted upon.”

Reacting on Monday evening, indigenes of the Amasiri clan flooded social media to deny the allegations.

According to Kingsley Adams, “Amasiri is not daft. The claim that we are planning an attack is another lie.”

Another indigene, Nicholas Azu, said, “What joy do you derive from these lies and deceit? You are happy that the military and governor are allegedly treating us unfairly in your favour.”

Onya Emmanuel added, “You wrote a lot and claimed to have voicemail and clips as evidence, but in the end we saw no proof. What is happening in Amasiri is bigger than what people see; it’s a political war, not even a land dispute.”

Ebonyi: Group raises alarm over threats from Amasiri, cites voice notes as evidence

The Lagos State Government has approved a 13 per cent increase in fares on Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, and other standard bus routes across the state.

The decision was approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, following appeals from regulated public transport operators who raised concerns about the rising cost of running their services.

According to a statement shared by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the fare adjustment will affect all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes, including BRT and standard routes. The new fares will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.

The state government explained that the increase is meant to reduce the pressure on public transport operators caused by ongoing economic challenges. It also noted that the review follows the state’s already approved annual fare review system.

LAMATA said the decision became urgent due to persistent inflation, noting that Nigeria’s inflation rate closed 2025 at 15.2 per cent, according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Bus Operating Companies (BOCs), the statement said, have continued to struggle with higher operating costs, including vehicle maintenance, spare parts, and staff salaries. These costs, it added, increased further after the introduction of the new national minimum wage.

“In a bid to maintain and improve service standards, operators are also investing in the procurement of new, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient buses to enhance passenger comfort and promote environmental sustainability,” the statement said.

The government reassured road users that it remains committed to striking a balance between affordability and the need to provide safe, reliable, and efficient public transport across Lagos State.

It added that the fare increase is part of efforts to keep the public transport system running smoothly while ensuring long-term sustainability for operators and improved service delivery for passengers.

Gov Sanwo-Olu hikes BRT fares in Lagos