Author: Hot Source

In response to escalating violence along the Ebonyi–Benue border, senior government officials, community leaders, and development coordinators convened an emergency peace and security summit under the leadership of CP Adaku Uche-Anya, Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command.

The meeting was prompted by the recent killing of at least 11 individuals in a cross-border assault linked to the protracted Effium–Ezza crisis.

The high-level summit, held Tuesday at Police Headquarters, Abakaliki, brought together representatives from affected communities, security agencies, and state authorities to strategise on preventing retaliatory attacks, curtailing communal unrest, and stabilising the fragile border region.

Security briefings presented at the summit revealed that the fatalities occurred in parts of Benue State, with multiple homes and properties destroyed in what sources described as a coordinated incursion.

Preliminary intelligence suggests that the assailants may have originated from the Akparata axis in Effium, although the attack fell outside Ebonyi State’s jurisdiction.

Chief Chinedu Awo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Power and Energy, stressed the commitment of the Ezza bloc to the government-brokered ceasefire, affirming ongoing consultations at both grassroots and leadership levels.

“We remain committed to peace. Our communities are adhering to the directive, and feedback will continue to be relayed to security authorities,” he said.

The summit also addressed concerns regarding the pace of geographical demarcation of newly created autonomous communities carved from the former Effium territory. CP Uche-Anya assured stakeholders that the matter would be escalated to relevant government authorities to expedite resolution.

Highlighting structural interventions, Mr. Moses Ogalegu, Coordinator of Effium South Development Centre, emphasised institutional measures since his appointment, including routine security briefings, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with the military and civil defence corps.

He credited Governor Francis Nwifuru with initiating the administrative demarcation process, describing it as critical to achieving sustainable separation and long-term peace.

Prince James Agena, President-General of Effium Community, characterised the meeting as comprehensive and conciliatory, stressing the importance of peaceful coexistence.

He called for urgent implementation of the demarcation gazette and cautioned against destabilising influences from diaspora actors and misinformation on social media. He further highlighted opportunistic criminality, including looting and illegal felling of economic trees, in the absence of fully defined boundaries.

Similarly, Mr. Monday Eze, President-General of Alioma Autonomous Community, acknowledged the Commissioner’s proactive measures while reiterating that incomplete demarcation remains the epicentre of the crisis.

He urged the government to establish definitive timelines for relocation and resettlement and advocated for expanded security presence across the expansive border terrain.

High Chief Igboke Emmanuel, leader of the Ezza people in Ezekuna-Alioma Autonomous Community, reaffirmed his community’s adherence to the ceasefire but raised concerns over targeted attacks, citing past incidents such as a beheading last year. He noted that, despite indications that security agencies are aware of the perpetrators’ identities, no arrests have been made.

Stakeholders collectively proposed three key measures to stabilise the region: accelerated completion of demarcation exercises, increased deployment of police, military, and civil defence personnel, and thorough investigation and prosecution of perpetrators and alleged sponsors.

While relative calm has been observed in recent months, including political and social activities within Effium, the recent cross-border fatalities underscore the volatility of the situation.

Summit participants emphasised that restraint, institutional coordination, and decisive security action remain critical to averting another cycle of communal bloodshed in one of southeastern Nigeria’s most sensitive conflict corridors.

With security agencies now on heightened alert, focus has shifted to operationalising demarcation timelines, intelligence-driven enforcement, and coordinated inter-state security measures between Ebonyi and Benue authorities.

Effium-Ezza crisis: Stakeholders seek accelerated demarcation, enhanced policing amid rising tensions in Ebonyi-Benue border

The Nigerians Government has again, countered claims of genocide against Christian in the country.

Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, who was reacting to reports of religious persecution submitted to the US President Donald Trump by congressman, Riley Moore said there is no religious persecution in Nigeria.

The report filed by the US House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs, followed months of investigation conducted in Nigeria.

The report outlined findings on alleged persecution of Christians and broader extremist violence against those who believe in Christ Jesus.

In a statement, the Minister said, “It is important to state clearly that Nigeria does not have, and has never had, a state policy of religious persecution.

“The violence being confronted by our security agencies is not driven by government policy or religious bias, but by complex security threats, including terrorism, organised criminality, and longstanding communal tensions.

“Nigeria values its longstanding and strategic partnership with the United States. Our two countries share common interests in promoting security, economic development, and regional stability.

“We remain open to constructive dialogue and cooperation rooted in mutual respect, shared responsibility, and recognition of Nigeria’s constitutional framework and sovereignty.”

Nigerian govt rejects US report on ‘religious persecution’

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the assassination attempt on the life of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Edo State.

DAILY POST had reported that Obi and other ADC leaders came under deadly attack during the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the ADC in Benin City.

Obi’s motorcade was riddled with bullets following the unprovoked attack.

Reacting, Atiku, in a statement on Tuesday night, said the attack is “utterly condemnable and unacceptable in any democracy.

“In recent times, we have witnessed reckless and inflammatory rhetoric from elements within the ruling party in Edo State, rhetoric that dangerously legitimises violence against political opponents.

“Words, when weaponised, often precede actions. What happened in Benin did not occur in a vacuum.

“Nigeria is entering a perilous phase in which opposition voices are not only harassed through state institutions but are now being physically targeted. The ruling APC appears to have escalated its intolerance from bureaucratic suppression to open aggression.

“Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security chiefs bear a constitutional responsibility to guarantee the protection of lives and property without discrimination or partisanship. The safety of opposition leaders and supporters is not a favour; it is a democratic obligation.

“Nigeria must not descend into a theatre where politics is settled by violence.”

Atiku reacts to assassination attempt on Peter Obi, other ADC leaders in Edo

The South-South zone of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has condemned the attack on its Edo State secretariat by hoodlums suspected to be political thugs.

DAILY POST reports that at about 2:55 pm shortly after the defection of Barrister Olumide Akpata and others to the party, hoodlums invaded the premises.

Some of the property destroyed and vandalised include vehicles, plastic chairs, canopy, among others.

The occasion was attended by Mr Peter Obi, the former, Anambra State Governor and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, the former governor of Edo, Prof Oserhiemen Osunbor, also the former governor of Edo State, among other dignitaries.

While condemning the attack, the South-South zone of the party said the incident marked the second time the ugly incident was launched on the secretariat.

A statement signed by Ms Mabel Oboh, ADC South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary and made available to newsmen in Benin city alleged that preliminary reports suggest the involvement of members of a political party in the dastardly act.

“What happened to our Edo State secretariat is not just an attack on a party but an attack on democracy itself. Politics must never be a theatre of violence, intimidation, or harassment. Political participation must be safe, organised, and lawful.

“ADC emphasises that preparedness is a responsibility, not an act of aggression. The party does not endorse violence, but it will not tolerate intimidation. The safety of our members remains paramount, and security measures will stay strict at all levels, even during small meetings.

“Notably, the political violence happening in Edo State is of great concern and a huge disgrace to Edo State leadership

“Our movement is peaceful. Our focus is strategic. Our operations are structured. No one should be allowed to use violence to shine politically at the expense of others.

“Democracy is strengthened when political actors conduct themselves lawfully, responsibly, and with respect for citizens’ rights and safety, for serious minds only.

“Our party, ADC will continue to protect its members, defend democratic principles, and participate in politics with dignity and discipline,” she said.

Oboh, however, said that the National Leader of the party in the state, Chief John Odigie Oyegun has invited the authorities of security agencies, particularly the police to the scene of the incident.

She also added that the party has called on law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to investigate the attack swiftly and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

She explained that the incident happened shortly after Olumide Akpata defected to the party at its secretariat located at Ogbelaka Street, Benin City.

The ADC, South-South zonal publicity secretary, said the hoodlums stormed the premises, firing shots and injuring several individuals.

“Fortunately, key dignitaries, including Peter Obi, Odigie Oyegun, ADC National Chief Whip Festus Igbinoba, National Legal Adviser Oserheimen Osunbor, and ADC South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary Mabel Oboh, had just left the venue before the attack”, she added.

Meanwhile, the Edo State chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Jarret Tenebe has attributed the attack on the ADC secretariat to an internal crisis within the party.

“What happened was as a result of factions within the Edo ADC.
‎
‎”Did the attackers wear an APC uniform? What is happening in ADC is a factional fight. You saw Owie fighting Oyegun. They should not drag us into their fight”, he stated.

ADC South-South zone condemns attack on Edo secretariat, as APC blames internal crisis

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has raised the alarm over an alleged attack on former presidential candidate Peter Obi, describing the development as a threat to democratic freedoms and political participation in Nigeria.

In a statement shared on his official X page, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, said the incident involving Obi and other party leaders was troubling, particularly in view of earlier warnings reportedly issued against the former candidate.

“Today’s attack on Mr. Peter Obi and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress is a grave and disturbing development,” he said.

Abdullahi also linked the incident to previous threats allegedly made against Obi, stating,

“We didn’t know at the time that the Governor’s threat would include an assassination plot.”

The ADC spokesperson condemned violence and intimidation in political activities, describing such actions as harmful to democratic values.

“Violence and intimidation are the weapons of those who fear the will of the people; such actions stain our democracy and must be condemned by all who believe in freedom,” he stated.

He added that the party would not be deterred by the development, reaffirming its commitment to political engagement.

“The ADC will neither bow nor retreat. We will stand firm, speak without fear, and continue the peaceful struggle for a Nigeria where the opposition is not punished, and every citizen is free,” Abdullahi said.

We will neither bow nor retreat – ADC reacts to attack on Peter Obi in Benin