•Ondo protesters, regent assault executive over killings, Benue LG secretariat, palace razed
Citizens of a number of communities in Ondo, Benue, Nasarawa and Edo states are reeling from dreadful assaults via suspected armed herders, sparking prevalent outrage and protests.
A complete of 30 family had been reportedly killed within the form of assaults around the 3 states, with communities calling for pressing executive intervention.
9 surveyors had been reportedly abducted in Ondo, presen two citizens had been kidnapped, and 4 others suffered gun and machete wounds in Edo.
In Ondo, indignant ladies took to the streets of Akure on Monday, following the kidnapping of 9 surveyors and the killings of villagers in Akure North Native Executive Department.
Armed assailants reportedly stormed the communities of Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun, within the Akure North Native Executive Department, on the weekend, departure a path of shatter and bloodshed.
Government have to this point recovered no less than 14 our bodies, presen seek efforts persisted, with a document that 20 villagers had been killed.
In Benue, violent protests erupted in Naka, headquarters of Gwer West Native Executive, nearest 3 individuals of the order’s Civil Coverage Guards had been ambushed and killed via suspected herders.
The invention in their our bodies early Tuesday sparked a rampage via enraged teenagers, who torched the palace of the native conventional ruler and portions of the native executive secretariat.
Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killings, urging safety companies in order the perpetrators to justice presen calling for restraint amongst citizens.
In Nasarawa Surrounding, a communal strike within the Farin Dutse folk escalated right into a full-blown situation, departure no less than seven family useless, together with a pregnant lady.
The warfare, which started as a dispute between native farmers and herders, briefly spiralled out of regulate, with homes, stores, and cars set fire to.
The police have, on the other hand, arrested two suspects in reference to the violence, with safety patrols within the branch to oppose additional bloodshed.
Protest in Ondo
On Tuesday, Akure, the Ondo Surrounding capital, used to be dropped at a standstill as masses of ladies took to the streets to protest the alleged kidnapping of 9 surveyors within the Ilu Abo folk, Akure North Native Executive Department.
In line with the protesters, the surveyors had been kidnapped via gunmen who allegedly attacked them presen running at a website within the native executive.
The ladies, with leaves of their palms, converged at the Ijemikin branch of the order capital and marched to the Executive Secretariat at Alagbaka, chanting harmony songs to specific their dissatisfaction over the spate of lack of confidence within the order.
Mrs Oluwatoyin Arowosafe, who spoke with reporters right through the protest, said that a few of them had been kinfolk of the abducted surveyors.
She stated the abductors had contacted the households and demanded a sum of N100m for his or her loose.
“We want to call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to come to our rescue. Our men have been kidnapped since last Tuesday and the kidnappers are demanding N100m to release them, which we could not afford,” she stated.
Executive alleges connivance
Addressing the ladies in the name of the governor, the Particular Aider on Union Issues and Particular Tasks, Mr Bola Taiwo, blamed the surveyors for getting to the website with out safety coverage.
Taiwo stated, “We will talk along with your leaders if they have got reported the incident to the police. If they have got now not, they will have to advance there and document, that’s when the federal government would office.
“Nowadays, surveyors going to the site should go with police escorts. If they do, no gunmen would abduct them. No one can kidnap anyone without internal collaborators.”
He requested the ladies to go back to Ilu-Abo and proceed to call for the loose of the surveyors.
“You shall now advance again to Ilu-Abo and yell out that those that kidnapped the surveyors will have to loose them.
“Incorrect Hausa or Fulani guy can come to Ilu-Abo and abduction with out the connivance of some of the natives.
“It is your people that kidnapped the nine surveyors. We will meet with your leaders and discuss with them,” he stated.
Executive, regent incorrect
The Ondo Surrounding governor and the regent of some of the affected communities within the weekend killing, Ademekun People, Princess Kemisola Adelowo, disagreed over the killing within the border communities on Saturday.
The federal government, in a remark on Monday signed via the Senior Particular Worker to the Governor on Safety Issues, Gbenga Atiba, described the media document at the killings as faux information intended to form panic a number of the citizens of the order.
On Tuesday, Atiba, on a radio programme in Akure, additionally pushed aside the remark of the regent, insisting that the incident by no means came about as reported.
He stated: “Safety is everyone’s industry. Our family need the federal government to return and create a police station of their houses. What are the farmers doing to give protection to themselves earlier than calling at the executive?
“The federal government’s position is to grant police stations and put officials there. The federal government provides cash to all safety companies on this order each year for them to accomplish their roles.
“All the reported cases which happened in Oba-Ile are fake. The kidnapping of students of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, didn’t happen in Ondo State but in Ekiti State.”
Responding, the regent stated, “After I referred to as my family about what the federal government officers had been pronouncing that the incident didn’t occur, they had been cursing, lamenting that it used to be vile.
“I’m the regent of that folk, and I got here to the town closing Tuesday. I used to be instructed that any individual referred to as ‘Iron Body’ and a few boys got here to the folk on Thursday.
“He presented his staff as ‘Commissioner Boys’ and used to be in an instant faced. He claimed he most effective got here to hunt their collaboration on the best way to oppose herdsmen and their farm animals from getting into the folk.
“Now not lengthy nearest, the similar ‘Iron Body’ and his boys was at the nearest village, began firing gunshots, and killed a few hundred cows. We changed into scared over the improvement.
“At nighttime on Saturday, Fulani herdsmen invaded the communities, taking pictures and attacking somebody in seeing in retaliation for the cows that had been killed.
“They assumed we were responsible. Most of those killed were farmers from Taraba and Oyo states. They spared no one – they killed both old and young and also set buildings on fire.”
In a remark on Tuesday, the Ondo Surrounding Police People Members of the family Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, stated the continuing “covert operation” of the command can be intensified to flush criminals out of the order.
“The command is aware of the attack on Sunday Camp and the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Afolabi, has directed that the ongoing ‘covert operation’ being carried out across the state to rid the command of bad elements be intensified,” the remark learn.
A police supply showed that policemen had been deployed within the branch on Sunday, including that deny fewer than 14 useless our bodies had to this point been recovered.
Protests in Benue
Irate teenagers thronged the main streets of Naka, headquarters of Gwer West Native Executive Department of Benue Surrounding on Tuesday over the killing of 3 group of workers of the order safety operatives, codenamed Civil Coverage Guards.
Of their enrage, they poised fireplace to the palace of the normal ruler of Naka, Ter Naka, portions of the native executive secretariat, and homes belonging to personal people.
Their enrage arose nearest the our bodies of the 3 operatives had been dropped at the council headquarters early Tuesday.
Resources from Naka stated that as quickly because the adolescence noticed the our bodies of the group of workers reportedly killed via suspected armed herders, a violent protest erupted.
The Chairman of the native executive, Victor Omirin, showed the violent protest.
He stated, “Yes, they razed the secretariat and the Ter Naka palace. Three protection guards were killed in Garuwa, so when their bodies were brought to Naka, it sparked protest from the youth and it’s now being taken over by hoodlums.”
Talking to our correspondent at the telephone, the normal ruler of Naka, Daniel Abomtse, showed the burning of his palace.
He stated, “I used to be in Makurdi for a scientific check-up most effective to be referred to as early this morning that some hoodlums had burnt ill my palace.
“I have to rush back only to discover that three vehicles and motorcycles as well as other valuables were burnt down.”
The spokesperson for the order command, Catherine Anene, showed the protest.
She stated the Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, had left for Naka to evaluate the status and promised to provide main points upcoming.
As of the past of submitting this document, she used to be but to grant the main points as demanded via our correspondent.
Alia condemns killings
Governor Hyacinth Alia has condemned the killing of the 3 group of workers of Civil Coverage Guards and the protest that adopted.
In line with the remark issued via his Important Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo and made to be had to reporters in Makurdi, on Tuesday, Alia decried the assault and homicide of 3 operatives who he stated “were on duty to protect our locals at On-MbaAondo, Tsambe-Mbesev ward of Gwer-West Local Government.”
He described the assault via suspected marauding armed herders as a flagrant affront to the bliss and safety of the communities.
The remark quoted the governor as pronouncing, “We admire the deep infuriate and frustration that has resulted in the nervousness at Naka, the headquarters of Gwer-West, together with the regrettable burning of the LG secretariat and the palace of Ter Nagi via protesters.
“Week we empathise with the emotions of our family, we recommend restraint and foresight in funnelling this enrage.
“Destruction of our valuables simply serves to frustrate the intentions of our government, which is devoted to building up peace and security in the state.”
The governor referred to as on all safety companies to accentuate efforts in taking pictures the perpetrators of the heinous atrocity.
“It is essential that these marauding herdsmen be brought to justice and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the governor stated.
He emphasized that his executive used to be dedicated to improving safety efforts to give protection to “our communities from additional assaults.
“We implore all voters to stay vigilant and collaborate with safety companies in reporting any peculiar actions.
“In these trying moments, let us stand united against violence and strive for peace and justice in Benue State. Together, we can overcome these challenges and build a safer environment for all.”
Nasarawa communal violence
The strike between farmers and herders within the Farin Dutse folk of Nasarawa Native Executive Department of Nasarawa Surrounding claimed the pace of a pregnant lady, Azumi Allah Gaba and her unborn kid.
A remark made to be had to reporters in Lafia on Tuesday via the order PPRO, Ramhan Nansel, stated the situation started amongst some teenagers and a herder in a bush positioned within the branch.
It said that the situation upcoming resulted within the miserable killing of 1 Friday Danladi Jike via a suspect recognized as Sani Allah Gaba.
The police spokesman stated, “On March 9, 2025, at about 1430hrs, one Yakubu Kaka of Farin Dutse reported the dispute to the Nasarawa State Police Command, and upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, swiftly deployed mobile police operatives in the scene, where they encountered a violent mob attempting to kill one Isa Alhaji.”
He additional narrated that the sufferer used to be effectively rescued and brought to the Common Clinic, Nasarawa, the place his fitness status used to be promptly introduced beneath regulate.
“Alternatively, at some stage in the intervention, the mob vandalised a police patrol car and upcoming poised fireplace to a close-by Ruga agreement the place the suspect, Sani, resided.
“This resulted in the vile loss of life of 1 Azumi Allah Gaba and her unborn kid.
“To revive bliss, a stakeholders’ assembly used to be held with leaders from each communities.
“Consequently, two suspects, Usman Magaji, alongside one Hon Ibrahim Usman Kaka, who participated during the attack on the police and the attempted killing of the rescued victim, have been arrested for further investigation,” he added.
In a homogeneous building involving the similar Farin Dutse folk, the PPRO stated on March 10, 2025, at about 0647 hrs, the District Head of Kurudu, a folk within the branch, positioned a misery name, reporting an assault at the village via suspected herders.
He additional famous {that a} speedy reaction staff led via the Divisional Police Officer of Nasarawa within the Nasarawa LG used to be deployed to the scene, including that upon the coming of officials of the command, the assailants had been dislodged.
He stated, “Throughout the operation, 3 injured sufferers, Samaniya Wa’azu, Vincent Ezekiel, and Johnson Maikasuwa, had been rescued and brought to a scientific centre for remedy.
“Tragically, six corpses had been recovered and recognized as Simeon Madaki, Ayawu Senior, Sunday Wa’azu, Vincent Sunday, Taimako Senior, and Filibus Jatau Mai’anguwa.
“Some houses, shops, motorcycles, and a car were also vandalised during the attack.”
Nansel added that to safeguard regulation and form, the branch were strengthened with group of workers from the Cellular Police of 69 PMF Toto, along alternative police operatives and the army, recently patrolling the neighborhood.
He requested the family to stay peace, including that efforts had been ongoing to arrest the perpetrators of the vile incident.
Herders assault Edo
Two citizens had been kidnapped, and 4 others suffered gun and machete wounds as herders invaded the Dantata Era Camp in Aviele, Etsako West Native Executive Department of Edo Surrounding at about 8 pm on Sunday.
An observer who gave his title as Abu stated the armed herders opened fireplace at the citizens once they had been about to crack their rapid.
He famous that one Mutairu Dauda who rebuffed the assault used to be hacked with a machete and shot.
He stated, “I will be able to ascertain to you that killer herdsmen invaded the Dantata Era camp in Aviele, Etsako West Native Executive Department of Edo Surrounding on Sunday evening at about 8 pm.
“They opened fireplace on citizens. A specific guy who stood and fought with them as they had been looking to both shoot or abduction him sustained diverse levels of machete trauma and so they additionally shot him.
“His wife, daughter and mother-in-law also suffered a machete wound. Dauda, a furniture maker, is currently at Irrua Specialist Hospital receiving treatment.”
It used to be accrued that native vigilantes who went looking for the 2 abductees arrested two kidnappers and passed them over to the police.
Abu stated one of the citizens were pressured to quit their houses nearest a form of indistinguishable assaults via the invaders within the hour.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Edo Surrounding Police Command, Moses Yamu, in a message, merely stated, “Will revert sir.”
Ekiti will get Military formation
The Nigeria Military has confident of a extra enhanced safety and security in Ekiti Surrounding, with the appearance of an Military formation – the 148 Battalion, within the order.
The outgoing Commander of 12 Brigade, Lokoja, Maj Gen Oluremi Fadairo, stated the unused formation would convey impressive growth to the protection structure of the order and the contiguous fields with Kogi and Ondo states.
Fadairo spoke in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, when he led alternative senior military officials, together with the unused Brigade Commander, 12 Brigade, Lokoja, Brig Gen Kasim Umar Sidi and the Commanding Officer of the unused battalion and the Garrison Commander, 32 Brigade, Col Kyari Babakura, on a consult with to Ekiti Surrounding Governor, Biodun Oyebanji.
They had been within the order to evaluate the unused barracks of the Nigeria Military in Ikere Ekiti, forward of the deployment of group of workers and gear to the order.
The army chiefs expressed pleasure with the site of the Military barracks in Ikere Ekiti and confident the governor that the deployment of group of workers would start on the transient bottom in an instant.
In addition they asked a larger length to lend as a short lived home for the deployed group of workers.
Fadairo instructed citizens of the order “to give the military the required maximum support and cooperation to enable it to achieve its desired objective of curtailing all forms of insecurity in the state.”
He stated the unused formation used to be billed to get going in Ikere Ekiti with the graduation of deployment of group of workers and fabrics to the order.
Oyebanji thanked the Nigerian Military for the unused building, which he stated would “further enhance safety and security in the state and further confirm Ekiti as the number one choice for people looking for where to live, work, relax and invest.”
The governor confident the military government of efficient collaboration with the army to support safety and stamp out felony components from the order.
He stated his executive were making frantic and mindful efforts to spouse with all related safety companies to safeguard the security and safety of lives and homes within the order.
Oyebanji stated, “We’re thankful to the Commander-in-Important of the Armed Forces for the approbation to ascertain this battalion in Ekiti Surrounding.
“We’re thankful to the Military command, beneath the management of the Important of Military Workforce, for doing this for us within the order.
“What you’ve got accomplished for us in Ekiti Surrounding is so pricey to us. Ekiti Surrounding is non violent, however we even have our personal wallet of criminalities and the branch the place the battalion is cited is likely one of the maximum security-challenged parks within the order.
“That is an try that we can give most aid to in a bid to safeguard its early takeoff.
“You also see that immediately it was announced, we got the land from the community and so the people have taken ownership of the project,” the governor stated.