Metro

Scores Missing As Gunmen Attack Taraba Communities

Published

3 years ago

July 24, 2022

Local residents on Sunday said scores of people are missing and hundreds have fled across River Donga to Nyivu in Donga Local Government Area after suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked Manya and Sabongida Kpasimbe communities in the Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.

But the Taraba State Police command said nobody is missing and the personnel have been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.

This is even as the member representing Takum I State Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Garba Ajiya said no life was lost in the two attacks.

A resident of Manya who fled to Takum town, Mr. Tanko Tsokwa, told our correspondent on the phone that the attackers in their numbers invaded the community and started shooting around 5:30 am.

“They came in large numbers in the company of cows and started shooting sporadically. Luckily enough we were able to escape through the river and cross over to Nyivu.

“I can’t confirm any casualty, but many people especially women and children are missing,” he said.

A member of the Taraba State House of Assembly representing the area, Hon. Garba Ajiya while confirming the attack said his village, Sabon-Gida Kpashimbe, was also attacked and burnt but no life was lost.

He said, “Yes, they attacked and burnt houses in Manya and my village Sabon-Gida Kpashimbe, but no life was lost. I was told they have proceeded to Kwesati in the neighbouring Ussa Local Government Area.

“At present 21 villages in my constituency have been sacked by the Fulani attackers who have now occupied the communities and are feeding on people’s farms.

“They have converted some of the houses that were not burnt to their houses where they are staying and committing these atrocities.

“I want to call on the government to provide immediate relief assistance to the IDPs to address the humanitarian situation in areas under attack and take steps to end the killings.”

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP. Gambo Kwache said the command has deployed more personnel to the troubled area to maintain peace.

“We have made a deployment to the area and our men are on the trail of the attackers,” she said.

The PUNCH reports that communities in Ussa and Takum mostly inhabited by the Kuteb ethnic group have come under sustained and coordinated attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, leaving over 120, 000 people displaced and scores killed since January this year.

PUNCH

Metro

AAU Postpones Resumption Date

Published

6 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has approved, on behalf of the university’s Senate, the postponement of students’ resumption and commencement of academic activities.

In a statement,
Otunba Mike Aladenika,
Head, Information, Public Relations & Protocol, AAU, said the decision became necessary to enable the university to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.

“According to him, the management is committed to providing a conducive environment for academic excellence and believes that this temporary adjustment will ultimately benefit our students.

“While the university management intends to announce a new resumption date, any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect to allow for effective ongoing renovation works

“In light of this development, the university regrets to announce that the 140th Inaugural Lecture, originally scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations have been postponed.

“A new date for the lecture and the completion of the examinations will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course.

“The university appreciates the understanding and cooperation of students, parents, and guardians on this matter.

“We urge all students to adhere to the new resumption date and prepare for a productive academic session.

“Parents and guardians are kindly requested to ensure their children/wards are aware of and comply with the revised resumption schedule.”

Metro

Protest Rocks Ekpoma Over Incessant Kidnapping

Published

7 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday protested against incessant kidnappings in the area.

Ekpoma, in recent times has been under attack by kidnappers who snatched residents from their homes.

The protest grounded commercial activities as students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, also joined in the protest.

The protesters, in anger, also pulled down campaign billboards for the 2027 general elections mounted in the university hosting town.

Speaking on the protest, Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured that adequate security would be deployed to Ekpoma.

According to him, the kidnappers would be chased away from the area in no distance time.

Also reacting to the protest, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, dismissed was top of the security situation in Ekpoma, adding the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already in Ekpoma.

Ikoedem said nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside local hunters.

“In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence.

“The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.

“The victims, including five children were rescued unhurt. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” she said.

Metro

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

Published

10 hours 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.