Metro

Many Killed, Scores Injured As Armed Herders Storm 4 Benue LGAs

Published

3 years ago

April 1, 2023

…Marauders Occupying Deserted Communities, Royal Father Raises Alarm

The Chairman of Apa Traditional Council in Apa Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state and Odejo K’ Apa, Chief John Antenyi has raised the alarm over the killing of many of his subjects and sacking of several communities in his dormant by suspected armed herdsmen.

The invaders were reported to have also invaded communities in neighbouring Agatu as well as Guma and Kwande LGAs where several persons were killed and many others sustained serious injuries in over three weeks of sustained attacks.

The royal father who spoke in a telephone interview lamented that communities in his domain like Ikpobi, Odugbo, Akpanta, Ologba, Oyiji among others had been taken over by the invaders in a ceaseless attack on his subjects.

According to the traditional ruler, “Fulanis are invading our Local Government and some communities like Ikpobi, Odugbo, Akpanta, Ologba and Oyiji have come under severe attacks. There have been killings and destruction of farm crops in those communities.

“Following the attacks, some of our villages have been deserted and including Imana, Ologba, Akpanta and Ikobi. The inhabitants have relocated to Ugbokpo the Local Government Headquarters and some other communities that have not recorded any attacks.

“However in the last two days there has been relative peace. Though there is a committee that has been set up by our First Class Chief, and that committee is headed by me.

“We are working in concert with security agencies to chase them out. We have also drawn the attention of the Ochi’Idoma to what is happening, likewise, the state government which has sent some security operatives to us. A detachment of Operation Whirl Stroke has been deployed to Apa; they are stationed at Odugbo and Ikobi, and they have been assisting us.”

On his part, a former Vice Chairman of Agatu LGA, John Ikwulono who also raised concern over the sustained unprovoked attacks on communities in the LGA said “we had no problem with the Fulanis, there was no provocation but they came and attacked a community called Atakpa in Agatu and they killed over six persons and wounded many.

“They come to our communities claiming that our grass is the best for their cattle and it is on that basis that they keep terrorising our people to force them to desert their homes so that they can take over the place.

“After invading Atakpa they also invaded Okpagabi and injured many people, some of the victims are still in the hospital

“After that they also went to other villages and extended the attack to Apa LGA. They wounded some persons and also killed several persons.”

Reacting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Col. Paul Hemba (retd.) Who confirmed the development hinted that the State had been witnessing large influx of armed herders and cattle in the last few weeks.

He noted that security personnel were overstretched particularly during the general elections assuring that with the elections now over, security surveillance would be intensified in the communities.

“Yes that situation has persisted it has been happening for sometime and our security have actually been overstretched within this period of elections, including the military.

“So the armed herdsmen have been coming for attacks and each time they are repelled after some days they come back again.

“But with the elections over, and the pressure on the security agencies reduced, we are thinking of permanent deployment along that axis to put a permanent stop to those attacks,” he said.

On the attack in Kwande LGA by the marauders, the Adviser said “in Kwande LGA the armed herders are attacking but the military have intervened and the situation has reduced quite alot.

“In the last few days we have been receiving reports of large influx of armed herdsmen along the Guma LGA axis as well.

“As I’m taking to you, the military are mobilising to go on patrol along that axis to get them out.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene confirmed that attacks were recorded in the Apa and Agatu axis of the state; adding that “herders are always moving to the communities including Guma LGA.”
VANGUARD

Metro

BREAKING: BIZARRE! Millions Lost As Delta Man Sets Own Shop Ablaze

Published

3 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

A yet-to-be-identified man suspected to have taken hard drugs on Tuesday night set his own furniture shop ablaze in the Saniko community, Agbarah-Otor, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The man, believed to be in his 40s, our source said set the furniture shop containing modern furniture worth millions of naira ablaze, and chased anyone who attempted to intervene with matchett until he was overpowered by the community youths.

Our source who does not want his name in print narrated via the phone: “It actually happened this night. Nobody knows what fell on him to have set his own shop ablaze, but the belief his that he must have taken some hard drugs.

“The man should be in his 40s. He set the shop ablaze, and when people attention was drawn to it, they rushed there but he chased them with cutlass. He was chasing people with cutlass until the youth mobilised and overpowered him, and as I speak with you, he has been tied down, naked.

“I don’t know his name, and nobody has identified with him as a relation, but the point is, millions have been lost. All the modern furniture in the shops have turned to ashes. The shop is completely burnt down.”

Contacted on the phone, Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe said the Command was not aware of the incident.

He said: “Inasmuch he set his own shop ablaze, and nobody died, nobody will come to the Police to report it. And since nobody will come to report such an incident to the Police, it’s assumed the Police are not aware.”

Metro

Seven Journalists On Their Way To Colleague’s Marriage, FG Reacts

Published

4 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the tragic death of seven journalists who were confirmed killed in a lone road crash in the Gombe South area of Gombe State on Monday.

The incident occurred on Monday evening as the journalists were returning from a wedding ceremony in the Gombe South Senatorial District. They were said to have traveled in solidarity with a colleague from the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, who was getting married.

According to preliminary information from the Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samson Kaura, the crash was fatal.

The Minister described the tragedy as a heartbreaking loss to the media community and the nation, noting that the journalists were committed voices who informed the public with courage, integrity, and professionalism.

“This is a harrowing moment. Nigeria has lost dedicated voices who informed, educated, and stood for truth. Their passing is a heavy blow to us all,” he said.

The Minister extended his condolences to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Gombe State Council, and especially to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. He prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the painful loss.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. May Almighty God grant them comfort and grant the souls of the departed eternal rest,” he added.

“We stand in solidarity with the NUJ and the entire media community at this difficult time. We must continue to work together to improve safety measures for those who serve the nation daily,” he said.

He assured that the Federal Government stands with the bereaved families and the media community during this moment of grief. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.

Metro

VIDEO: Chaos As Last-minute Shoppers Overwhelm Lagos Balogun Market

Published

4 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Large crowds on Tuesday overwhelmed Balogun Market on Lagos Island as residents trooped out in their numbers for last-minute year-end shopping, crippling movement around the commercial hub.

A viral video making the rounds online showed extreme congestion within and around the market, with traders and shoppers barely able to move as they jostled for limited space in one of Lagos’ busiest trading centres.

The footage captured scenes of tightly packed walkways and stalled human traffic, as buyers scrambled to complete end-of-year purchases ranging from clothes and shoes to household items.

The gridlock is largely being blamed on Nigerians’ long-standing culture of last-minute shopping, often described as “panic buying,” where many delay festive purchases until the final days of the year.

Balogun Market, known for its wholesale and retail activities, traditionally experiences a spike in patronage toward the end of the year.

As of the time of reporting, no incidents had been confirmed, though the situation highlights the recurring challenge of overcrowding during peak festive periods in Lagos.

Watch the video below:

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐬 𝐀𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭-𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭
Credit: X | dammiedammie
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