Metro

43 Houses Destroyed, 300 Displaced As Thugs Invade Ebonyi Community Over Land Dispute

Published

3 years ago

April 3, 2023

It was a moment of grief for the victims and a field day for their thugs, who went into Ndiefi-Ishieke village of Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, to cause mayhem.

It was gathered that hoodlums numbering over 50 went into 43 compounds situated within a communal land, shot some villagers and destroyed their buildings.

Vanguard investigation revealed that 11 persons were injured and 300 persons displaced in the affected community.

Confirming the incident, a key stakeholder of Ndiefi-Ishieke village, Dr Nwoba Benjamin, lamented over the attack unleashed on the villagers by some hired thugs.

He alleged that what caused the incident was because a particular family was laying claim to the communal land.

The claim, according to sources, was what caused agitation among the villagers, who insisted that the communal land doesn’t belong to a particular family, but to every indigene of the affected village.

Benjamin alleged that some key stakeholders of said kindred were behind the attack on the innocent villagers.

He added that the villagers stressed that the communal land was not meant for a particular family, as many people from the village had over the years got a fair share of the communal land.

He further alleged that the thugs were led by a council Chairman, Chinedu Uburu, and that none of the hoodlums had been arrested.

However, in a quick reaction, the Chairman of Ebonyi LGA, Mr. Chinedu Uburu, denied any involvement, saying the allegation was directed at tarnishing his image.

“Nobody has officially reported to me that there was any destruction in the affected community.

“I am hearing about it for the first time. The day of the burial, the police were on ground. If any body is pointing accusing fingers at me, it’s just cheap blackmail.

“Surely, I will visit the place and alert some security agencies to swing into action,” the council boss said.

But according to Benjamin, the thugs from nowhere, between Tuesday and Wednesday last week, unleashed mayhem on the villagers that opposed the ownership of the land to a particular family

“The thugs were hired and were shooting sporadically. About 100 buildings were destroyed.

“There’s a communal land in the village, which the community usually share to indigenes of the village, when you grow and get married.

“But a particular family claimed that it is their land. One of them died and was buried in the community land even as the community refused such development.

“At about 3a.m. of the fateful day, the thugs started destroying people’s properties. I was reliably informed that SWAT saw them and didn’t do anything.

“Thugs were going from one building to the other causing mayhem and stabbing people.

“One military man was also involved in the act. The police saw things for themselves but didn’t do anything.

“The destruction went on for three days. The land is for the community. 43 compounds were destroyed and 11 persons were injured as more than 300 hundred persons are now displaced,” Benjamin narrated.

The embattled Village Head of Ndiefi-Ishieke village in Ebonyi LGA, Eze Sunday, called on the state government not to take side with any clan in the affected village but to play a fatherly role by providing unity, peace and oneness among the people of Ndiefi-Ishieke village.

He said: “We want the state government to know what is happening. They should not victimize a particular clan but carry everybody along.

“They should allow those displaced to come back to their compounds.

“The compound of the family that said the communal land belonged to them is from Igbogima. The hoodlums should be brought to book.

“Our incoming governor should assist us in maintaining peace in the village. He should not look at the kindred dichotomy.

“The State Government should look into the matter. We are very sad over the development. I am the complaint but they are turning me into the accused.”

The victims, Nwodom Alibasa and Romanus Njoku, who spoke to Vanguard, lamented how their compounds were destroyed and lives were threatened, following the ugly episode that took place in their Village.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, stated that the Command was not aware of the incident.

Metro

Man, 49, Arrested For Allegedly Defiling 13-year-old Girl In Oyo

Published

1 hour ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of a 49-year-old man, Peter Adubi, in connection with the alleged defilement of a 13-year-old girl.

The arrest was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade.

According to the statement, the suspect was apprehended after the victim’s guardian reported the incident to the police on January 8, 2026, at about 8:50 p.m.

Ayanlade explained that the guardian became concerned after observing unusual sexual-related behavioural changes in the minor.

Upon gentle questioning, the girl disclosed that she had been sexually abused in 2022 while living with her mother in the Molade area of Ibadan.

He said, “Upon receipt of the report, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect (Adubi) allegedly committed the offence during that period. This disclosure provided the basis for immediate medical intervention to establish the facts of the case.

“Consequently, the minor was taken to the hospital for a medical examination, which confirmed sexual abuse. This medical evidence strengthened the case against the suspect and guided the next steps in the investigation.

“As a result, the suspect (Adubi) was taken into custody. The crime scene was visited, and the case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Gender Desk, for a discreet and thorough investigation.”

The Police Command assured residents that justice would be diligently pursued and urged them to remain vigilant, reporting any incidents of sexual abuse promptly, as community cooperation is vital in safeguarding children and ensuring a safer society.

Metro

20-year-old Arrested For Allegedly Defiling Minor

Published

1 hour ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Bauchi State Police command has arrested a 20-year-old man, Bilal Ya’u, for allegedly defiling a six-year-old girl in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The girl’s father was said to have reported the incident at the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters on January 6, 2026.

The father said the suspect, who is their neighbour, lured his daughter into an uncompleted building on January 5 where he assaulted her.

Police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, in a statement issued on Saturday stated that upon receipt of the report, detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Kadiri Danjuma, visited the scene while the victim was taken to the General Hospital, Alkaleri, for medical examination.

According to the him, the suspect who was later arrested confessed to committing the act during interrogation.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered a thorough investigation, after which the suspect will be profiled and charged to court.

According to DAILY POST, the incident is among a series of rape cases recorded in the area. Earlier, police arrested a 28-year-old man, Baffa’ji Abba, for allegedly raping his neighbour’s eight-year-old daughter in the same local government.

Metro

Panic In Benue Community Over Influx Of Armed Herdsmen

Published

1 hour ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Fear has enveloped the Tyoshin community of Gwer-West Local Government Area in Benue State over the large influx of suspected armed herdsmen into the area.

This was disclosed in a statement by the National President, Prof Patrick Ukase and Secretary, Prof John Ajai of the Forum of Tyoshin Academics (FoTA).

The forum called on the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies to act swiftly to address the development.

They expressed dismay over a statement by the Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Aondowase Kunde, who, in a viral video, stated that all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State, including those from Gwer-West, had returned to their ancestral homes.

The FoTA described the statement as “false”, noting that it does not reflect the realities on the ground.

“The commissioner’s statement appears to be a figment of his imagination rather than a reflection of lived realities in affected communities. There are several villages in Gwer-West Local Government Area that residents cannot safely access,” it insisted.

“Many people have not returned to their homes due to fear of being attacked. Others are displaced but no longer stay in official camps; they are scattered across neighbouring communities, living with relatives or in temporary arrangements.

“To suggest that there are no longer Internally Displaced Persons in Benue State, particularly in Gwer-West LGA, under these conditions, gives a false picture of reality. It risks creating the impression that all is well when, in fact, many communities remain vulnerable and exposed,” the statement said.

FoTA said it is in possession several credible reports from residents that the herders were already encroaching on farmlands, grazing on cultivated fields and destroying standing crops.

The group said such development could be a prelude to attacks on vulnerable farmers, and it called on relevant authorities to act without delay.

“We wish to draw the attention of the Benue State Government, relevant security agencies and the general public to the renewed and increasing influx of armed Fulani herders into Gwer-West Local Government Area in large numbers.

“FoTA has received repeated reports from residents and farmers that the herders are already encroaching, grazing on cultivated fields and destroying standing crops. This is a clear indication that the herders are not here solely to graze but may pose a serious threat to residents,” it stated.

The forum said the situation is causing panic and anxiety in the community and not be treated with levity by the authorities.

“Gwer-West is one of the areas that has suffered greatly from continued herdsmen attacks, displacement and loss of livelihoods. FoTA is raising this concern at this early stage, not to inflame tensions, but to prevent a situation that could further worsen the community’s condition if ignored,” the group added.