Metro
IDPs, soldiers among over 200 killed in fresh Benue attack
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About 200 people, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), five security personnel, women, children, and community members, were killed in a fresh coordinated attack by suspected herdsmen on Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The assailants struck late on Friday night, according to residents who said they had received advance warnings of impending attacks by marauding fighters.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed Yelewata from both the eastern and western flanks, overpowering police and youth defenders before unleashing violence on defenceless IDPs in market stalls and nearby homes.
Several houses and market stalls were set ablaze after being doused with petrol. Many victims, some described as toddlers, were reportedly “slaughtered like animals.”
Another group of attackers was said to have descended on Daudu. Although youths and security personnel mounted a fierce resistance, at least five officers, including policemen and soldiers, were confirmed killed.
Mr. Matthew Mnyan, a Yelewata community leader and former Acting Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), who spoke emotionally, described the incident as “a dark day” for the local population.
He said: “It began around 11 pm when they emerged from the western side, opening fire. Our youths and police resisted. Then another group attacked from the east and overwhelmed them.
“They killed people, set stalls ablaze with petrol, and burnt homes. Displaced individuals from Branch Udei and surrounding villages were inside those stalls. Shockingly, none of the soldiers intervened to protect them.
“We’ve recorded over 200 fatalities—families of 12, 15 people, including husbands, wives, and children, have all been consumed by fire. About 46 wounded were taken to hospital; so far, 20 have died.”
Mnyan said the operation appeared premeditated and well-coordinated.
He added: “We had prior alerts from Nasarawa State regarding attacks on Yelewata, Ukoho, Ortese, Yogbo, and Daudu. This was carried out simultaneously.
“Daudu’s defenders managed to repel the herd, but five soldiers and police personnel died. One was a Captain. We understand that over 300 assailants had camped near Daudu.
“The assailants seek to seize land. On Yelewata’s east side, Fulanis have occupied farmland and are refusing entry to others. That coordination from east and west was deliberate.”
Mnyan further said the community briefly considered moving corpses to the main road in protest but abandoned the plan after recalling past incidents that resulted in additional fatalities.
President of the Association of United Farmers Benue Valley (AUFBV), Chief Dennis Gbongbon, accused “Lakurawa bandits” and herders of the carnage.
His words: “Reports indicate over 62 IDPs and farmers were killed in Yelewata; several homes and shops were burnt. As I speak, about 85 percent of victims are IDPs who fled from places such as Antsa, Dooka, Kadarko, and Giza, now hospitalised or missing.
“These IDPs are still farmers at heart. Even when displaced, terror found them. This is a terrifying escalation.”
Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Har, confirmed the dual attack.
He said: “I cannot give exact numbers yet as I was not on ground, but two separate incidents happened yesterday in Yelewata and Daudu.”
A military source, speaking anonymously, confirmed that two soldiers died. “We lost two military personnel in that attack,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command, in a statement by DSP Udeme Edet, acknowledged the incident, stating that tactical teams responded swiftly, engaged the assailants, and repelled the attack.
The statement read: “Some attackers were killed.
“It is with deep regret that we confirm civilian deaths and injuries. We are actively pursuing the attackers and will continue efforts to protect the public.”
Recurring Attacks
Benue State has long been a flashpoint for violent clashes between herdsmen and farming communities.
Over the last decade, hundreds of lives have been lost to such attacks, especially in local government areas like Guma, Logo, and Agatu.
The violence, often attributed to disputes over land and grazing routes, has led to mass displacement, with many residents forced into IDP camps across the state. Despite repeated calls for federal intervention and several military operations in the area, attacks have persisted, fuelling a humanitarian crisis and widespread insecurity.
Metro
Police arrest four over Hajj fraud in Kebbi
Kebbi Police Command has said that it has in her custody four suspects for defrauding intending pilgrims in the state.
SP Bashir Usman, spokesman of Kebbi State Police Command, in a statement said that following complaints from victims and Kebbi state pilgrims welfare agency arrested four persons for allegedly defrauding intending pilgrims and issuing them fake Hajj bags,fake and fake medical records.
He said suspicion began when the intending pilgrims names were not seen in the list of approved pilgrims but had in their possession hajj materials which investigations revealed they were fraudulently given by the suspects.
The statement further said that the prime suspect Aminu Hassan Zauro was arrested by the police with other suspect namely Tabiu Abubakar, Usman Attahiru, Mustapha Sani Zauro and one Bello jos who currently in custody and are being investigated.
Bashir added that suspect Aminu Hassan Zauro defrauded the victim of 8,600.00 under the promise of securing two Hajj seats.
“The prime suspect Aminu Hassan Zauro has no connection whatsoever with Kebbi state pilgrims welfare agency but convinced with other suspects to defraud the unsuspecting intending pilgrims to the extent of giving them fake Hajj materials,” he said.
While other suspects are at large following the arrest of those in custody, CP Umar. M Hajia admonished members of the public to be wary of Hajj fraudsters and deal with the agency or approved agents.
He pledged to do justice in the matter to ensure those at large are brought to book, warning criminals to abandon their nefarious habits or be ready to face the Police.
Metro
Drama as police arrest Osun monarch in court
Drama ensued at the premises of an Osun State High Court sitting in Ede on Monday as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force arrested a traditional ruler in the state, the Elegbedi of Egbedi, Oba Muideen Azeez.
Before the arrest, the monarch had appeared before Justice Kudirat Akano on charges bordering on arson.
The royal father appeared before the court alongside Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran and Sarafadeen Abioye.
The defendants were alleged to have, among other offences, on September 3, 2019, at a farm in Iloba within the Ede Judicial Division, while armed with firearms and offensive weapons, robbed Wasilatu Akinola and other women processing palm oil with her of about 70 kegs of palm oil, palm kernel, palm fruits, goats and other domestic animals valued at about N10m.
During Monday’s proceedings, defence counsel, M. Atobatele, called four witnesses, including three police operatives and the palace secretary.
While being led in examination-in-chief, one of the police operatives, Assistant Superintendent of Police Akindosu Olusoji, who said he served at the Ido-Osun Police Division between 2019 and 2021, told the court that it was the monarch who had called to complain that someone destroyed his farm, adding that the alleged perpetrators were arrested.
“I and one other officer visited the area in Egbedi. At the farm, I met a pastor and some other labourers using chemicals in a spraying machine to spray the maize crops on the farm and I asked who he was and he said he was the owner of the farm.
“I asked why he was destroying it if he was the owner. So, I got him and the labourers arrested. I obtained their statements and they were detained, and I continued with the investigation. I never arrested any of the defendants. They were the ones who came to complain,” he told the court.
Justice Akano, in her ruling, adjourned the matter till June 17 for continuation of hearing.
But shortly after the session, police operatives arrested the royal father within the court premises and whisked him away.
When contacted for clarification on the incident, the Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest, saying the operatives executed a court order and remand warrant.
Ojelabi said, “The officers acted strictly based on a court order. There was an arrest and remand warrant issued by a court.
“He was arrested and remanded in the Ile-Ife Correctional Centre based on a court order.
Metro
One hospitalised as container collapses on bus in Lagos
One casualty has been rushed to the hospital after a loaded 20ft container truck lost control of its brakes and eventually fell onto a mini yellow bus.
The Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) revealed that the incident occurred at Second Rainbow, inward Oshodi, on the service lane by the police tactical team station in Lagos.
The incident also affected some roadside shops.
Men of the Nigeria Police Force are present to document the accident, while our LASTMA officials are well-positioned to manage traffic.
Two vehicles have been contacted to ensure prompt evacuation while traffic is still moving.
In February, two people were killed after a collision involving two fully laden 40-foot container trucks along the Cele inward section of the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway in Lagos, authorities said.
LASTMA confirmed that one of the truck drivers and a suspected miscreant lost their lives in the crash, which occurred around Mile 2 on the busy freight route.
According to LASTMA, the driver of one of the trucks (registration number T-392 LA) was trapped inside the cabin following the impact and was later confirmed dead.
The second victim, described as a suspected miscreant, was found beneath one of the trucks during recovery operations, though officials said the circumstances of his presence at the scene were not immediately clear.
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