From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Suspected armed herders have killed five persons, including the house of assembly candidate for Otukpo-Akpa state constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election, Igbabe Ochi and four others.

The victims were killed in another attack on Otobi community, in Otukpo local government area of Benue State.

This is just as the State government confirmed that suspected Fulani kidnappers believed to be in search of food for their victims attacked a provision shop at otobi Akpa community around 1.

30am on Tuesday.

A statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Internal Security Chief Joseph Har said four persons were killed at the shop, pointing out they looted the shop and moved into the nearby forest when the locals responded.

He said, “The police and the Civil Protection Guards were immediately deployed to the community to prevent further attack. Those killed were identified to be Hon Ochi Ugbabe, Achibi Onah, Eje Eba and Sunday Iruja. Four persons were kidnapped recently and were yet to be released.

But according to residents who pleaded anonymity, the attack which happened at about 1.30am on Tuesday morning, followed Sunday’s night kidnapping attempt at Ekwu-Ora’Odaba in Otobi but was foiled by the community volunteers guards commander, Ocheme Jackson and his team, prompting a high security alert in the community.

The local sources said that, the community has been singled out by suspected herdsmen for attacks, following the killing of 13 persons on the 15th of April 2025 and another attack that claimed three more lives in May 2025

“Following Sunday’s Kidnap attempt, community volunteers guard members with the support of youths in the area, kept patrol and surveillance team across the community up until 12.00am pm Tuesday morning before retiring to rest”

The sources further notes that,  ” When the surveillance team from the railway crossing into Ijami part of Otobi pulled back to rest, at about 1.30am, the gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, stormed the community and started shooting,  killing Five persons in the process and looted foodstuff and other valuables “.

When contacted, the President, Otobi community development association, John Anyebe said, the attackers came through the railway station bridge from Ijami part of Otobi and headed to where the victims were sitting not far from the transformer junction

“Yes, the attack is carried out by suspected herdsmen who have been terrorizing our community, they shot one person close to the water board before heading to where Igbabe Ochi and four others were seated and opened fire on them, looting the stores around for food and other valuables”.

Anyebe lamented the killing of his people first on April 15th, 2025 where thirteen persons were killed, two weeks after three other persons were killed at Omebe axis of Otobi Community

“We can confirm that an incident occurred earlier today at Otobi-Akpa. Tragically, four individuals have lost their lives.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and loved ones affected by this incident.

“Investigation is in progress, and efforts are being made to arrest the perpetrators to face justice”, the Police Public Relations Officer DSP Edet Udeme stated.

The lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa state constituency, Kennedy Angbo lamented over the persistent attacks on his constituency,  noting that, on Sunday traveller’s on a Benue links bus were attacked at Burnt bricks Otukpo where three persons were hospitalized from the incident

“You can imagine that five of my constituents have been killed again at Otobi community of Akpa district, barely a year after the killing of thirteen persons on April 15th 2025”.

“On Sunday at about 7.00pm, around Burnt bricks Otukpo, these gunmen opened fire on traveller’s, injuring three persons and it was just God that protected them from any fatality, so I am calling on the security agencies to do more on intelligence gathering and counter operations to flush out these terrorists from our surroundings, he appealed passionately”.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Policemen in Benue State have arrested 41 suspects in connection with the alleged slaughter homes operating in Makurdi, the State capital.

The command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Udeme Edet who confirmed this development on Tuesday in Makurdi while responding to the alleged slaughter homes located at Awe Street in Wurukum, Makurdi, said the alleged slaughter homes have been trending on social media for a while in the state.

The testimony of an unidentified person who claimed to have been abducted on December, 25 while returning from a Church programme along International market in the state capital had trended on social media.

According to him, he boarded a motorcycle at about 8:30 pm the fateful day and only to be taken to Awe Street.

He added that in a manner that suggested he was hypnotized by the motorcyclist, he was pushed into a room where he met about 10 girls

“So, I followed them into a house the place was a dreadful place, I knew in my spirit that there was a power or demonic presence operating in that place, when I became reluctant to enter, one of the boys pushed me in, as we entered, they took me into a room where there were other young girls (about 10 of them).

“One was a stack naked crying, so I asked what was happening, how they got here, then I moved to the girl crying without her clothes on, I asked why she was naked. She said she was brought there at about 5.30am, that she was traveling to Ilorin, Kwara State, and she needed to be at the park before 6.00am.

“So she boarded a motorcycle on their way the bike man pleaded with her, that she should give him a little time to pick a parcel for waybill, she obliged and that was how she found herself there, that she offered to give them #1million, for them to spare her life but they refused,” the unidentified person narrated.

Another unidentified person wrote how his daughter was being lured to the dreaded street by a motorcyclist known as Okada rider but quickly gave an excuse to alight from the motorcycle.

The PPRO in her response to the allegations on social media said, “I’m aware of this, and the same has been forwarded for action.

“A raid of black spots was organised at Awes Street, Wurukum and Wadata where 41 suspects were arrested for screening.

By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and announced that Nigeria will co-host the global investment forum, Investopia, with the UAE in Lagos in February, in a move aimed at attracting large-scale foreign investment and accelerating economic diversification.

The twin announcements were made on the sidelines of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where Tinubu described the trade pact as historic and strategic, positioning Nigeria as a major investment destination and a gateway to Africa’s 1.

4 billion-person market.

Under the agreement, the UAE will eliminate tariffs on more than 7,000 Nigerian products, granting duty-free access for agricultural and industrial exports such as seafood, oil seeds, cereals, cotton, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

Tariffs on Nigerian machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, apparel and furniture will be phased out over the next three to five years, significantly improving Nigeria’s export competitiveness.

In return, Nigeria will eliminate tariffs on about 6,000 products, mostly industrial inputs, capital goods and machinery, while maintaining its import prohibition list. The agreement also opens the UAE market to Nigerian service providers across 10 sectors, including finance, transport, construction, communications, health and tourism.

Tinubu said the CEPA would deepen cooperation in renewable energy, aviation, logistics, agriculture, digital trade and climate-smart infrastructure, creating long-term opportunities for businesses and workers in both countries.

“This agreement enhances cooperation and creates enduring opportunities for our people,” Tinubu said, adding that Investopia in Lagos would bring together investors, innovators and policymakers to convert ideas into concrete investments.

Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the pact directly addresses long-standing barriers to foreign direct investment and gives Nigerian businesses unprecedented access to one of the world’s most dynamic trading hubs.

She noted that Nigerian business visitors can now stay in the UAE for up to 90 days within a year to explore opportunities, while executives and specialists can relocate for renewable three-year periods. Nigerian firms will also be able to establish branches and subsidiaries in the UAE.

The agreement, Oduwole said, is already boosting investor confidence, citing increased participation by UAE institutional investors such as First Abu Dhabi Bank in major Nigerian infrastructure projects, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road.

At the summit, Tinubu also outlined Nigeria’s climate and energy ambitions, saying the country aims to mobilise up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance while expanding electricity access nationwide. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s target of net-zero emissions by 2060 and highlighted reforms under the Electricity Act 2023, which allows decentralised power generation to underserved communities.

Nigeria’s climate investment push includes a $500 million distributed renewable energy fund backed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and a $750 million World Bank programme expected to expand clean electricity access to more than 17.5 million people.

The President said ongoing economic reforms were yielding results, with non-oil exports growing by 21 per cent and investment commitments exceeding $50 billion across key sectors.

Meanwhile, the World Bank, in its latest Global Economic Prospects report released Tuesday, projected that global growth would remain broadly steady despite persistent trade tensions and policy uncertainty. The bank forecasts global growth of 2.6 per cent in 2026, rising slightly to 2.7 per cent in 2027, supported by easing inflation and improved financial conditions.

However, it warned that the 2020s are on track to become the weakest decade for global growth since the 1960s, with widening income gaps between advanced and developing economies.

World Bank Chief Economist Indermit Gill urged governments to liberalise trade and private investment, rein in public consumption and invest in technology and education to avoid stagnation and rising unemployment—an agenda Nigerian officials say the new UAE partnership is designed to advance.

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