News
Gunmen Attack Herders, Kill 30 Cows At Ebonyi–Benue Border Community
There is palpable tension in Ataroga, a border community between Ebonyi and Benue states, following an attack by suspected gunmen on Fulani herders, resulting in the killing of over 30 cows.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, when residents were reportedly awakened by the sound of gunshots.
Ataroga is an Izzi-speaking community located in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.
Speaking to journalists, the village head, Chief Nwedoga James, said the community was thrown into panic after gunmen invaded the area and killed several cows belonging to herders who had lived peacefully in the community for decades.
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According to him, following the attack, the herders accused villagers of masterminding the incident and allegedly embarked on reprisal actions, leading to the arrest of seven community members by the police. The arrested persons were taken to Igumale, where they are currently detained.
Chief Nwedoga further alleged that the herders have since been destroying houses and looting properties in the community, and appealed to the governors of Ebonyi and Benue states, Francis Nwifuru and Hyacinth Alia, respectively, to urgently intervene.
“We were woken up early on Thursday morning by the sound of gunshots. Families ran into nearby bushes out of fear. By morning, we discovered that unknown gunmen had attacked the herders and killed about 30 cows,” he said.
“Out of fear, many villagers fled the community. Later, the police came and arrested seven people, who were taken to Igumale.”
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He disclosed that despite an intervention by the Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, who appealed to the herders not to carry out reprisal attacks while investigations continued, the situation has worsened.
“We have lived peacefully with these herders for years. We are innocent, yet our houses are being destroyed and residents harassed. We are pleading with our governors to come to our rescue,” he added.
Other stakeholders, including Mr Odebe Odegu and a church leader, Mr Anthony Nwibo, described the situation as disturbing and called on leaders of the two states, as well as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, to intervene urgently.
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“We are in serious trouble. The Izzi people here are treated like strangers. We are neither fully Benue nor Ebonyi. We are being accused of a crime we did not commit,” they lamented.
“Our people are being attacked, our houses destroyed, and our properties looted. Herdsmen are looting homes and harassing residents. We need urgent help,” the village head cried out.
Meanwhile, victims of the alleged looting, Mr Lawrence Ogodo, a chemist shop owner, and Mr Joseph Agashi, a provision store operator and pharmacist, said their shops were looted at Aswa Chibueze and Igwebuike markets, along with over ten other shops.
As of the time of filing this report, seven community members remain in detention, while tension remains high in the area amid fears of further violence.
News
Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.
Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.
Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.
“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.
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He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.
According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.
Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.
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He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.
One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.
He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.
News
Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan
Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.
He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.
READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack
Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.
“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”
He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.
He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.
Watch the video here
News
Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint
Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.
The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
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Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.
He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.
Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.
“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.
“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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