Metro

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

Published

1 year ago

April 1, 2023

Editor

…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

Delta Lady Dies After Friends Allegedly Pushed Her Into Pot Of Boiling Pepper [Photos]

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

Editor

A Nigerian lady identified as Roseline has died due to severe burns after she was pushed into a big pot of boiling grounded fresh pepper and tomatoes by her friends in Delta State.

Activist, Comrade Israel Joe, who confirmed the incident in a Facebook post on Friday, May 3, 2024, said Roseline died last Friday after two weeks of fighting for her life in a hospital in Warri.

According to Joe, before Roseline passed away, she revealed that her friends were ‘beefing’ her but she still travelled with them for a catering job in Sapele where the incident happened.

The activist is demanding justice for the deceased, vowing to bring the perpetrators to book.

He wrote: “RIP, dear Rozzy. She was pushed into a big boiling pot of grinded fresh pepper and tomatoes by her friend on Saturday, 13th April. She battled for about two weeks with her roasted/boiled body and finally died last week Friday 26th April,” he wrote.

“Rozzy was buried four days ago, but we can’t just allow things to slide as though nothing happened. What an evíI friendship like those I once had.

“Nobody in the neighbourhood in Otokutu knew Roseline had been allegedly kíIIed by these same friends she was living with. She was buried with no one to bid her goodbye and with no single bųríaI poster to honour her. Just two days in the morgue, the mortuary attendants demanded she be carried away to bury.

“According to Rozzy, her friends were beefing her, but she still decided to travel with them for a catering job in Sapele where they were speaking their local language with this Yoruba girl, Rozzy, not understanding their conversation.

“All of a sudden, she landed in a very big pot of boiling fresh pepper and tomatoes where they even still delayed in rescuing her. She was later rushed to Sage Hospital, by Estate in Warri, where they managed the situation, but my friend couldn’t make it.

“What pains me is that these two girls are still walking and gallivanting everywhere like nothing happened. I hate intimidation and oppression, especially against persons who are non-indigenes.

“No report to the police, no investigations, no arrest, nothing. The law is superior, a citizen is a citizen and possesses the full right of citizenship. Keep your “indigeneship” in your pocket, the police must smoke them out so they can face the law. Na God dey help who nor get helper.

“We shall fight for Rozzy, you can not just be kílled like a chicken and buried like an aŋímąl. Nobody deserves such a hørribIe dęąth. We never got to meet Rose, only chatting on Facebook due to endless busy schedules only to see you, at the most disgusting sight at Sage Hospital, hoping for your recovery, but dęąțĥ stole you. Justice shall prevail, including if you would be exhumed.
#Justice4Rosy Rest on Dearest.”

Metro

JUST IN: Terrorists Kill Vigilantes, Abduct Two Village Heads, Others In Kaduna

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Editor

Some terrorists have reportedly killed eight vigilante members and two other persons in Kakangi and Unguwan Matinja communities in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The village heads of Kakangi and Kisaya villages under Kakangi Ward were also abducted.

A resident of the LG identified as Idris Khalid, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, said the gun-wielding men invaded the villages at about early Thursday.

The eight vigilante members who were killed in Kakangi were Bala Kamba, Abdurrahman Musa (Ubale), Kabiru Dan Dugui, Hambali Abu, Aliyu Abu, Nura Jika (Maleka), Mubarak Musa (Dan Wamba) and Ikra Hantsi.

Khalid added that the two victims in the Ungwan Matinja community under Gayam Ward were identified as Christopher Abubakar and Isah Gambo.

He said the vigilantes were attacked while trailing the kidnapped victims who were abducted on their way to a burial between Kakangi and Sabon Layi.

“The vigilantes engaged the terrorists, killing scores of them but could not rescue the two traditional rulers and others.

“Normally, anytime there is a kidnap incident, the vigilantes always trail the terrorists to rescue the victims.

“It’s unfortunate that in the process, eight gallant officers of the vigilantes who have been sacrificing in ensuring the safety of our people were lost,” the resident said.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said, “We are investigating the matter to unravel the true story because the area where the incident happened had a network problem.”

Metro

Court Remands Tenant For Setting Landlord’s House On Fire In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Editor

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Thursday ordered that a 35-year-old man, Dickson Peter, be remanded in a correction facility for allegedly setting his landlord’s house on fire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police charged the defendant with two counts of felony and arson.

The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, who did not take his plea due to lack of jurisdiction, ordered that he be remanded in the Abolongo Correctional Facility, Oyo Town.

Mudashiru said the remand is pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

He adjourned the matter until July 23, 2024, for reference.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Femi Oluwadare told the court that Peter, on April 18, at about 12:30 am, was alleged to have unlawfully set fire to the house of his landlord, Cepas Okeme, and destroyed properties worth N6.5 million.

Oluwadare said that after he set the building on fire, it also spread to the next house property belonging to Bose Ali ‘F’ and destroyed property worth N3.5 million.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 443 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.