Claims 300 Lives Lost in Recent Coordinated Attacks across Five LGAs

Agatu Council Boss Confirms Killing of District Head by Armed Herdsmen

By David Torough, Abuja,

Attah Ede, Makurdi

A non-partisan group under the aegis of the OnTiv Professionals Association (OPA), Abuja has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, raising the alarm over the persistent attacks and killings of innocent citizens in Benue State by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

In the petition submitted to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the group condemned what it described as systematic and orchestrated acts of terror, asserting that the attacks have devastated communities, displaced millions, and crippled the economy of the state.

The petition, jointly signed by the OPA President, Abraham Aku and the General Secretary, Akaanan Jacob Gwaza lamented that the unrelenting violence has turned Benue—once known for its rich agricultural productivity into a “Theatre of horror.”

“Over 300 lives have been lost in recent coordinated attacks across local government areas including Kwande, Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala. Homes have been reduced to ashes, and farmlands destroyed,” the petition reads in part.

Particularly tragic was a recent attack in Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo Local Government Area, where no fewer than 11 bodies were recovered. The incident was confirmed by Hon. Agbo Kennedy, the lawmaker representing Otukpo/Akpa State Constituency, during a live appearance on Channels Television on April 15, 2025.

The association warned that the attacks are no longer mere clashes between herders and farmers but a full-blown insurgency allegedly perpetrated by a militia group with a suspected agenda against the Benue Valley. They pointed to the use of military-grade weapons such as AK-47s, RPGs, GPMGs, and even drones in the assaults.

In a strongly worded call for action, the group demanded that the Federal Government deploy Special Forces and surveillance technology to flush out the attackers.

They also called for the declaration of Fulani herdsmen as a terrorist organization and urged the prosecution of those behind the violence.

“Where is the President, the National Assembly and our state governor while our people are butchered like animals?” the petition questioned.

The group also urged Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to break his silence and enforce the existing anti-open grazing law which, they claimed, had previously offered protection to communities before his tenure.

They concluded by stressing the need for urgent intervention to prevent a descent into anarchy and a situation where residents may be forced to resort to self-help in the absence of security.

OPA reaffirmed its commitment to peace and rule of law but warned that the patience of the people is wearing thin amid growing frustration and continued bloodshed.

Agatu Council Boss Confirms Killing of District Head by Armed Herdsmen in Benue

The chairman of Agatu local government council, Melvin James Ejeh yesterday confirmed the killing of the District Head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adejo from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected armed herders.

Ejeh, who confirmed the development when spoke with newsmen on phone in Makurdi, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed in his farm at Akpa-Otobi by the suspected herders who invaded the area at about 10 am of Wednesday.

He described late chief Adejo as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.

Ejeh explained that the late chief was working on his farm in Otobi-Akpa, Otukpo local government area before some mindless criminals went and killed him.

“I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho chief Tony Adejo has been killed. He was killed by some armed men while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo local government area of the State.

“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people is calm because we will not take law into our hands. We are just mourning the death of a community leader.

“Nobody is taking law into his hand, there is no need for reprisal attack because the incident did not happen on ground. Therefore, Agatu is calm and peaceful as usual”, Ejeh stated.

The Agatu council boss however enjoined all Agatu indigenes, who are in and outside Agatu communities to be security cautious and be closer to security agents to avoid being fall victims of herder’s attacks.

He further urged them to relate closely with the chairman of any local government areas they are and also work with other local authorities and community leaders and be ready to report any suspicious criminals to the appropriate authorities.

“Agatu people residing and farming in other local government areas should be careful and watchful with their movement. They should liaise with local authorities and know the areas that are safe to work for now since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the whole of zone c”, he explained.

The Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, could not be reached for comment as she could not respond to text or calls.

The Kano State Police Command on Friday, said it arrested 78 suspects and recovered a substantial quantity of weapons, illicit drugs and stolen properties across the state.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Dr Ibrahim Bakori made the disclosure at a news conference at Bompai Kano Police Headquarters.

Bakori stated that the development was part of the command’s ongoing efforts to combat crime in the state.

According to the CP, notable among the arrests was the re-arrest of one Sulaiman Danwawu, a 32-year-old notorious drug dealer from Tudun Yola Quarters.

He explained that Danwawu had previously been charged to court in 2022 for alleged possession of 500 cartons of suspected Tramadol tablets and now found with other illicit substances on his re-arrest.

The CP also announced that his men apprehended a suspected armed robber with two Beretta pistols and ten rounds of live ammunition.

“Between April 23 and May 9, 2025, we arrested five-armed robbery suspects, seven suspected drug dealers.

”We also arrested one suspected cattle rustler, four suspected fraudsters, 13 suspected thieves and 48 suspected thugs (Yan Daba),” he said.

Bakori listed items recovered from the suspects to include two Beretta pistols with 10 live rounds of ammunitions, various quantities of hard drugs such as Pregabalin, Diazepam, Tramadol, Codeine, Pentazocine and Cannabis.

Also recovered were eight vehicles, three tricycles and two motorcycles.

The Police chief added that they recovered 12 cutlasses, 15 knives, counterfeit currency totaling 198 US dollar notes and ₦311,000. five sheep, two rams, 12 mobile phones, an alternator generator and several other household items.

Bakori emphasised that these achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of the command’s strategies in curbing drug abuse and related crimes, which drive thuggery, armed robbery and other violent crimes.

He also noted a significant reduction in phone snatching, thuggery and car theft in the area.

The commissioner assured residents of the command’s resolve to maintain peace and order just as he urged the public to support the police with credible information.

He appreciated the support of the media and other law-abiding citizens of the state, saying, “we count on your cooperation to keep Kano safe”.(NAN)

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Suspected gunmen invaded the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), and killed a doctor simply identified as Dr. Alex in the physiotherapy department inside the tertiary health facility.

It was learnt that the gunmen stormed the hospital on Friday, leaving the said physiotherapist dead while patients and other health workers scampered for safety.

The development led to some health workers protesting the gruesome killing of their colleague inside the hospital facility.

The health workers were seen in a viral video protesting and brandishing various placards to register their displeasure over the incident at the hospital.

Reacting, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Public Relations Officer (PRO), Joshua Uwaila, in a telephone interview with newsmen, confirmed the killing. 

He said the deceased allegedly fell by a stray bullet.

Uwaila said that the authority of the hospital has reported the matter to the security agencies and are awaiting the outcome of their findings.

“A physiotherapist with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital was shot dead on Friday. “he said. 

Meanwhile, at least two members of the vigilantes group, whose identity could not be ascertained were on Tuesday crushed to death by an articulated truck on the busy Ugbowo-Lagos road by the University of Benin (UNIBEN) axis. 

The cause of the accident could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

However, eyewitnesses said the accident occurred about 12 noon on Tuesday when the two vigilantes who were riding on a motorbike were hit by a truck, and their heads crushed beyond recognition. 

An eyewitness who craved anonymous said the two vigilantes died on the spot and disclosed that their remains have been taken to an undisclosed mortuary.

“The two bodies have been deposited in the mortuary. The accident occurred right in front of the UNIBEN maingate just a few minutes past 12 noon.

“The two men were vigilantes riding on motorbike on the Ugbowo-Lagos highway when the accident occurred.” he said.

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