From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Terrorists suspected to be herdsmen have attacked communities in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, killing three residents and injuring four others.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Mbaterem, Ayaba, Ikpur, Yina, Aboajio and Ukpen communities of Mbazun Ward.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying three persons were killed while four others sustained varying degrees of machete injuries.

The injured victims were rescued and taken to a medical facility for treatment.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Peter Aondongu, initially confirmed that an attack had occurred in Ukum, while a subsequent statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, provided further details.

According to the command, additional tactical and patrol teams have been deployed to the affected communities, while security operations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.

Reacting to the attack, Governor Hyacinth Alia commended security agencies for their prompt response and expressed condolences to the families of those killed, while wishing the injured residents a speedy recovery.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor said the attackers were terrorists “masquerading as herdsmen” and vowed that his administration would continue to support security agencies in protecting residents.

Alia warned those seeking to undermine the peace process in the state, declaring that attacks would not force Benue residents to abandon their ancestral lands.

“Benue lands are for Benue people. Anyone who thinks that attacking us will intimidate us to leave the land is making a mistake,” the governor said.

He added: “I took an oath to protect our people, and I will not relent.”

The governor also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government in efforts to tackle terrorism and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security authorities.

He further directed security agencies to maintain a strong presence in strategic locations across the state to counter what he described as unrelenting attacks by “enemies of the state.”

The Ukum attack comes amid a recent wave of violence and abductions in parts of Benue.

On Thursday night, gunmen reportedly abducted 14 passengers travelling in an 18-seater bus along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area. Police subsequently confirmed that five victims, including a four-year-old boy, had been rescued, while nine others remained in captivity as of Friday.

The latest attack has heightened concerns over the security situation in the state, with authorities again calling for vigilance and cooperation between residents and security agencies.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria says its troops killed scores of terrorists, rescued dozens of kidnapped victims and arrested suspected collaborators and logistics suppliers during operations across the country between August 7 and 13, 2026.

The military said the operations, conducted under various joint task forces, also disrupted terrorist supply networks, recovered weapons and ammunition, and targeted crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI reported the neutralisation of terrorists in Borno and Adamawa states, the arrest of suspected logistics facilitators and collaborators, and the surrender of 19 terrorists and their associates.

Five female abductees who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains were also rescued in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The military said troops also intercepted a terrorist infiltration attempt in Nganzai, killing one terrorist and recovering an assault rifle, ammunition, anti-tank bombs, a rocket-propelled grenade charger and a communication radio.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded several encounters with terrorists in Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi states.

The military said 18 terrorists were killed during an operation at Makuku Village in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State. It added that two suspected foreign nationals believed to be Improvised Explosive Device experts were arrested in Zurmi, Zamfara State.

Troops also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers, including one suspect from whom ₦5.3 million allegedly intended for terrorist associates was recovered.

In the North Central, Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued 25 kidnap victims in Kogi State in two separate operations. Sixteen victims—six men, six women and four children—were rescued along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe axes, while nine others were rescued along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road.

The operation also led to the arrest of five suspected associates of a wanted kidnap kingpin in Benue State and the recovery of locally fabricated rifles, motorcycles and mobile phones.

Operation ENDURING PEACE also rescued a woman abducted from Dong Village in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State after sustained pressure forced her kidnappers to abandon her.

In Niger State, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued nine male kidnap victims in Mariga Local Government Area, while troops in Kwara State arrested four suspected terrorist collaborators.

The military’s account of air operations in Niger State included a major strike against terrorists in the Sangeko and Baba-Doka areas of Mariga. It said initial reports indicated that about 120 bodies and 300 motorcycles were recovered following the August 9 air operation, although assessment of the strike was still ongoing.

The Air Component also reported another operation on August 13 in the Maburya area of Mariga, where terrorists were reportedly sighted fleeing with rustled cattle. The military said the targets were engaged, resulting in the reported neutralisation of 46 terrorists.

In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE rescued a kidnapped farmer in Edo State and killed one of his abductors during a covert operation. Troops also recovered ₦1.5 million reportedly intended as ransom.
Military operations in Rivers State targeted oil theft, with troops recovering about 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, discovering an illegal refining site and intercepting a speedboat carrying approximately 17,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. Additional operations along the Oteghele axis uncovered concealed storage facilities containing about 105,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
In the South East, Operation UDO KA intensified efforts against a kidnap syndicate operating in Enugu and neighbouring states. The military said one syndicate commander was killed during an August 9 ambush, while another suspect was wounded. A subsequent arrest led troops to a forest hideout where they recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition.
The Defence Headquarters said the reported successes demonstrated the military’s sustained offensive against terrorism, kidnapping, criminality and economic sabotage.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops and other security agencies for their cooperation and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support ongoing operations.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces remained committed to protecting lives and property and restoring peace across the country.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has described Nigeria’s diversity as a source of strength, urging citizens to promote unity and mutual understanding, noting that what binds Nigerians together is far greater than what divides them.

Idris stated this on Friday, when he attended the wake-keep of the late Ukandi Placidus Ugar Ogar in Obudu, Cross River State, alongside family members, friends, and dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt.

Hon. Peter Odey; former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade; Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar; and the Cross River State Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang.

The late Ukandi Placidus Ugar Ogar, who died at the age of 76, was an elder brother to Senator Ayade and Dr. Frank Ayade.

The Minister said the gathering reflected the richness of Nigeria’s diversity and the ability of citizens from different backgrounds to unite in solidarity.

“What I have seen today is the diversity of Nigeria and how it can be further harnessed to promote unity in this country. Nigerians from all walks of life are Nigerians first. Therefore, we must celebrate them wherever they are,” he said.

While expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Idris noted that the occasion also provided an opportunity to honour a life that fostered unity among people.

“It is a moment of sorrow that he has passed on, but also a moment of gratitude that he lived a worthy life, one that helped bring people together,” the Minister said.

He called on Nigerians to continue to promote unity and shared values, while leveraging the country’s diverse cultures and traditions as assets for national development.

“We must strengthen our unity, uphold our shared values, and also see our diversity as a resource that can contribute meaningfully to the growth of our economy,” he said.

Idris reaffirmed that Nigeria’s strength lies in its people and their collective ability to rise above differences in pursuit of the common good.