Metro

VIDEO: ‘I Lost 20 Family Members In Benue Attacks,’ Survivor Recounts Ordeal

Published

1 month ago

June 17, 2025

Survivors of the recent deadly killings in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, have spoken out in anguish, recounting how their family members were killed and homes set ablaze by suspected herdsmen.

In a video interview with News Central TV, a survivor, Michael Ajah, narrated the trauma of losing at least 20 members of his family in the assault.

“My people, my family members, they died in this house, 11. Some died in the other store, eight, and some died here. My whole family members that died yesterday, the day before yesterday, on that very day, there were 20.” he said.

“That is my own family members. I’m not talking about any other thing. That is my own family members,” Ajah added.

He added that his goods and property were also lost in the attack saying, “This is my store. Those shops are my stores. Those places are burnt. My house is up there, that place also is burnt.

“And the store where I pack my goods, I store my goods everywhere. That’s burnt. They burnt my clothes. They burnt everything. They burnt our food. All my family members.

“What we came out with is our clothes, what we wear. And I, standing here, this is what I came out with. And this is the only thing that I have. There is nothing with me,” he said holding the cloth he was wearing.

Ajah further described how the attackers stormed their home late in the night during a heavy rain saying, “On that very day, rain started in the evening. So we entered. I slept there. So, I was sleeping. Around 10.20, we heard gunshots at the back there. So, before we could notice that something has happened, fulani men, they entered this place.”

He added that he was certain they were Fulani men because he heard them speak.

“They were speaking and I was inside the room and I heard them clearly, not somebody told me. I was inside the room there and they surrounded that room. I escaped narrowly. My brother was burnt in this house. Some escaped. My dad was burnt in this house,” he said.

In a separate interview, another resident, Bature Bartholomew, revealed that he lost his younger brother, his sister-in-law, and his mother in the attack, all of whom were said to have been burnt alive in their home.

Bartholomew added that his goods worth millions of naira were burnt during the attack.

He said, “I can’t say precisely because it’s over millions of naira. I store grains like guinea corn, maize, soya beans, rice.

“My younger brother stays here. he’s no longer alive, he was burnt inside this house. He was burnt in this house, yes him, his wife, mother and many others were burnt in this house.”

President Bola Tinubu has also rescheduled his official visit to Kaduna State saying that he will travel to Benue State on Wednesday as part of renewed efforts to foster peace and address the persistent conflict affecting communities in the state.

Watch videos below:
Credit: PUNCH

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Metro

Police Arrest For Sexual Assault Of Minor Leading To Pregnancy

Published

14 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

Kebbi State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 11 suspects for allegedly impregnating a 13 years old unsound mind girl in the state.

The Command said that the arrests were made as part of its determination to rid the State of all forms of Gender Based Violence.

This was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday by the spokesman of the command, CSP Nafiu Abubakar.

In the statement, Abubakar said, “The Divisional Police Officer, Shanga, had on 13th July, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, arrested 11 suspects namely: Ibrahim Bakanike, Danladi Nauyi, Danjuma Meli, Ibrahim Dankura, Ibrahim Isiaka, Masta Maishayi, Bello Muhammad, Danjuma Kodo, Aminu Isah, Zayyanu Isah and Ahmed Usman, all ‘m’ of Tungar Giwa village, Shanga LGA of Kebbi State.

“The suspects took advantage of one Sa’ima Dauda ‘f’ aged 13 yrs, who walked around in the village due to unsound mind by giving her money ranging from #200 to #500, lured her severally in different locations and had sexual intercourse with her which resulted to pregnancy and she safely delivered a baby boy on 8th July, 2025.”

The statement added that during the preliminary investigation, all the suspects arrested in connection with the case have confessed to the commission of the crime.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M Sani has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department to intensify efforts in arresting the remaining two fleeing suspects and ensure diligent investigation”

The CP equally reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and speedy investigation of Gender Based Violence cases in the State.

Metro

Varsity Lecturer Dies In Company Of Female Student

Published

15 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

Mr Olabode Ibikunle, a lecturer at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Ayingba, Kogi State, reportedly died on Thursday.

The lecturer, in the Department of Social Science Education of the institution, reportedly dies while in company of one Miss Glory Ojochegbe, of the same department.

But his death has been linked to one Miss Bello Lubabat.

Reacting,, the management of the university, however, dispelled the rumour, stating that investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his death.

It urged people to wait for the outcome of the ongoing investigation by the appropriate authorities and avoid jumping into unverified conclusion.

The Registrar of the school, Yahaya Alilu, in a statement on Friday, urged the media and the public to refrain from speculation to avoid jumping into false conclusions.

The statement read, “Prince Abubakar Audu, University, Ayingba expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate passing of Mr Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle, a lecturer in the Department of Social Science Education.

“His sudden demise in company of Miss Glory Ojochegbe Samuel (24GE2034) of the same department is a tragic and disturbing occurrence that understandably generated public concern and interest.

“The university wishes to state that the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle is currently under investigation by the appropriate authorities.

“We therefore kindly urge the public and the media to refrain from speculations or drawing premature conclusions until the facts are fully established.

“We are also aware of some unverified reports linking the names of other students including Miss Bello Yahaya Lubabat of the Department of Educational Administration and planning, to the incident.

“The university firmly dissociates Miss Bello and other students from the matter and cautions against the spread of unfounded information that may harm the reputation of innocent persons.

“Prince Abubakar Audu University remains committed to upholding the value of truth, fairness and justice , and we respectfully appeal for restraint and responsible reportage as investigation continues.”

Metro

Tragedy As Suspect In Ondo Varsity Students’ Murder Dies In Police Custody

Published

16 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

The Ondo State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the death of a murder suspect, Femi Oladele, also known as Tallex, during a brief illness.

Oladele was arrested for his alleged role in the abduction and death of two students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko – Andrel Okah and John Abba.

The two students, who were friends – Andrel Okah of the Department of History and International Studies, and John Abba of the Department of Economics – were said to be in 200-level in their departments before their disappearance on campus.

After their disappearance for three weeks, their colleagues raised the alarm and reported the matter to the police.

Thereafter, the command swung into action and began an investigation which led to the arrest of Oladele and two other accomplices. Oladele was said to be a landlord of one of the victims.

During interrogation of the suspects, the police said one of the suspects confessed that the victims had been killed, while their bodies were dumped at different locations in Ekiti State.

The police later disclosed that Okah’s body had been recovered and deposited at a morgue, while efforts were ongoing to recover Abba’s.

A source informed our correspondent that while in police custody, Oladele fell sick and was rushed to a hospital by the police, where he gave up the ghost.

“The suspect (Oladele) was sick in the custody where he was kept by the police. When his health condition was getting worse, he was quickly rushed to the hospital, where he later died.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the death of the suspect, stating that Oladele had been receiving treatment but succumbed in the early hours of Friday.

“Yes, he is dead. He had been under medical supervision since his arrest and had been in and out of the hospital. He passed away yesterday (Friday). We have recovered the decomposing body of Okah and are still searching for Abba’s remains.

“We urge the public to disregard any attempt to twist the facts. The command remains fully committed to justice. Everyone involved will face the full weight of the law,” the PPRO stated.