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Ortom Raises the Alarm Over Miyetti Allah Plot to Distabilise Benue

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From Vincent Nyiyongu, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom has accused the Fulani socio-cultural groups, Miyetti Allah of a sinister plot to distabilise his state in furtherance of its opposition to the open grazing prohibition law in operation.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Terver Akase in a statement said the Fulani Herdsmen groups had laid comprehensive plans for a smear campaign in the media and also sponsor violent protests in Makurdi, the state capital with intention to create confusion and disorder.


“It has become necessary to alert Benue people and other Nigerians about a plan being orchestrated by Miyetti Allah groups in collaboration with some opposition elements in the state to sponsor protests and a sustained media campaign against Governor Samuel Ortom.

 


“The conspirators have already contacted editors of some notable media organizations in Abuja and Lagos whose role is to ensure that articles, reports and all manner of media contents are churned out ceaselessly against the Ortom administration,” the statement said.


According to the statement, the Miyetti Allah groups were “riled by the Governor’s dogged stand against open grazing of animals in the state, his call for the declaration of armed herdsmen as terrorists and his administration’s opposition to Fulani Vigilante.”

It claimed that the Miyetti Allah groups were working in cahoots with some members of the opposition in the state, to ” initiate the anti-Ortom campaign” and sustain it between now and the end of 2022. 


“The planned  media publications are targeted at painting the present administration in the state as failure, a lie that is to be forced on Benue people in the next two and a half years. The coordinated smear campaign has already begun as seen in a section of the media.

 
“On the  other hand, the sponsored protests by some youth groups are intended to create chaos, tension and fear among the populace and possibly trigger violent clashes capable of leading to loss of lives. It is obvious that the herdsmen are not tired of bloodletting in  Benue State


“For Governor Ortom who had previously come under series of threats even to his life from armed herdsmen and their conspirators, the latest plot by these enemies of Benue State is not an unfamiliar terrain.
“It is the same desperation those who have sworn to make Benue ungovernable displayed before and during the 2019 elections that is beginning to rear its head again. 


“Governor Ortom will not be intimidated or distracted by the  antics of armed Fulani herdsmen and their sponsors. No amount of falsehood in the media or any other platform can change the Governor’s commitment to selfless service to Benue people. 


“Miyetti Allah and their conspirators are hereby told for the umpteenth time, that Benue State will NOT repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to pave way for Fulani herdsmen to take over the people’s ancestral lands for cattle grazing.

“The Law has not only come to stay; it is fully being enforced. The Ranching Law has been well accepted  by the people of Benue State and no intimidation or arm-twisting tactics from the named groups can change it, ” the statement said.


Governor Ortom urged security forces to check the activities of Miyetti Allah groups, who the statement said had sworn on several occasions to foist violence on the state and bring their members to justice.

CRIME

Delta Police Arrest School Bus Driver over Minor’s Kidnapping, Assault

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A 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Ughagha, has been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student in Sapele.

The suspect allegedly demanded and collected ₦503,000 in ransom from the student’s father before abandoning her along Oton Road, Sapele.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement in Warri on Sunday.

According to Edafe, the incident was reported at the Sapele Area Command on October 20, 2026, by the victim’s father, who alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school.

“The suspect subsequently contacted him (the father), demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid,” the statement added.

The police said the girl was abandoned along Oton Road after the ransom was paid and later reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications that she had been sexually assaulted.

Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced an investigation, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.

The school principal and vice-principal were also invited for questioning as the police intensified efforts to apprehend the suspect, who had reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled.

Edafe said the operatives, acting on credible intelligence, traced Ughagha to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23, 2026.

The suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime during preliminary interrogation.

The police spokesman added that arrangements were being made to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.

The commissioner assured that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice”.

He also urged school authorities, parents and transport operators to “exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children”, stressing that the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.

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CRIME

Enugu CP Orders investigation into Man’s Death During Police Operation

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From Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu 

The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nnaji Izuchukwu (male) during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

 

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Oficer, Enugu State command, Daniel Ndukwe said that the CP has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to establish the facts of the incident and determine whether the operation and use of firearms complied with established operational standards and extant laws.

Preliminary findings indicate that operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided Bull Hotel, Asata, Enugu, where Nworie Chidera Kelvin, a.k.a. “Akidi,” an alleged notorious drug peddler and Vikings Confraternity member, was lodged with associates. Akidi is reportedly linked to multiple cases involving unlawful firearm possession and cultism, including one in which he was charged in absentia. 

He was also suspected of keeping the gang’s firearms and other criminal tools. The operation led to the arrest of Akidi and nine other suspects, comprising males and females aged 17–28. Quantities of dried weeds suspected to be “loud” cannabis, a weighing scale suspected to be used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in various denominations were recovered.

During the operation, Nnaji and another suspect jumped through a window in an attempt to escape. While pursuing them, an operative was confronted by both suspects, who allegedly attempted to disarm him. In the ensuing struggle, the firearm discharged, leaving Nnaji with gunshot injuries, while the other suspect escaped. Nnaji was rushed to hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. His remains have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

CP Giwa has urged the deceased’s family, associates and other concerned persons to remain calm, assuring them that the circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly investigated and that any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary action. He reiterated that professionalism, ethical conduct and strict adherence to operational standards, particularly those governing the use of firearms, must never be compromised in any police operation.

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CRIME

Police Officer Shoots Female Colleague to Death, Kills Self in Kogi

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From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja 

Kogi State Police Command has confirmed a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two police officers in Ajaokuta Local Government Area after a male officer allegedly shot his female colleague, before turning gun to shoot himself.

A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Aliu Afusat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP), on Sunday, said the Command was investigating the fatal shooting at ASCO Camp, Ajaokuta, on October 23, in which two serving police officers died.

According to the statement, “the incident was reported at 11:04 p.

m., and the Divisional Police Officer, Ajaokuta, led a team of police officcers to the scene.

“Preliminary findings indicate that Corporal Amos Yusuf, who was on night duty, shot Woman Corporal Grace Onimisi and thereafter shot himself. Both officers were taken to separate medical facilities, where they were confirmed dead by medical personnel. Their remains have been deposited at the mortuary of ASCO Hospital.

“An AK-47 rifle and four expended cartridges were recovered at the scene as exhibits.

“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for in-depth investigation. The circumstances and motive remain subjects of investigation, and the Command will not speculate on matters yet to be established.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, extends his condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased officers over this tragic incident. The Command will provide verified updates as appropriate” the statement said.

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