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House Minority Caucus Condemns Killing of 31 Wedding Guests in Plateau

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…calls for urgent justice

By Gloria Ikibah

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has in strong terms condemned the brutal killing of 31 travelers en route to a wedding in Plateau State, describing the act as “heinous” and “unconscionable.”

This was contained in a statement signed  by the Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Aliyu Madaki, Minority Whip, Rep. Ali Isa and Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. George Ozodinobi and made available to Naijablitznews.com on Monday in Abuja.

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The statement reads: “We are deeply saddened and outraged by the heinous attack that took place in Plateau State on Friday, June 21, 2025, in which 31 innocent wedding travelers, members of the Basawa community from Zaria, Kaduna State, were ambushed while en route to a marriage ceremony in Pau. Among the 12 killed were the father, younger brother, and uncle of the groom. The grief and anguish visited upon this family, and upon a community that had set out in joy, are both staggering and unconscionable.
“According to survivors, the victims had clearly explained their mission: they were not combatants, nor were they party to any conflict. They bore no weapons, only gifts, kola nuts, and goodwill. Yet, they were met with suspicion, rage, and deadly violence. The assailants ignored every plea for understanding. Such cruelty offends the conscience of every peace-loving Nigerian”.
While commending the Nigerian Army’s rapid intervention, which reportedly prevented further bloodshed, the lawmakers questioned the broader security failures that allowed such an attack to occur in the first place.
“We commend the prompt intervention of the Nigerian Army, whose swift action prevented further loss of life. But we must ask: how did we get here? How did we become a nation where joyful travelers can be mistaken for threats, and murdered in cold blood?”, the caucus questioned.
The lawmakers placed the tragedy within a wider context of insecurity in Plateau State, particularly in Mangu Local Government Area, which has seen a surge in violence attributed to herdsmen attacks. They warned that in the absence of credible state protection, communities have resorted to self-defense mechanisms, increasing tensions and the potential for tragic misjudgments.
“We cannot ignore the wider context. Mangu Local Government Area has, in recent years, become a cauldron of herdsmen attacks. Just last night, 19 people were reportedly killed and many homes set ablaze. In the absence of effective state protection, it is sadly understandable that local communities have resorted to desperate acts of self-defence, forming vigilante groups and responding to every movement with suspicion. In such an atmosphere of fear and retribution, the line between justice and mob violence disappears; and innocent people, like the victims of Friday’s tragedy, are consumed in the chaos.

“Peace, law, and order cannot thrive where fear reigns and the state appears absent. It is the solemn duty of the State and Federal Governments to ensure that peace-building mechanisms are urgently instituted. Dialogue must be fostered between communities. Early warning systems must be activated. And most critically, perpetrators of violence must be brought to justice swiftly and transparently.

“In such an atmosphere of fear and retribution,” they wrote, “the line between justice and mob violence disappears.”

Calling for immediate action, the caucus demanded a thorough investigation into the attack, swift justice for the perpetrators, and the urgent deployment of peace-building initiatives. These, they said, must include dialogue between communities, operational early warning systems, and credible security guarantees from both the Plateau State and Federal Governments.

“Piecemeal responses will no longer suffice. What is required is a holistic approach that combines justice, dialogue, security, and reconciliation,” the statement warned.

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To the grieving families of Basawa, the caucus extended their “deepest sympathies,” and urged that this national tragedy mark a turning point in the country’s handling of communal violence.

“This tragedy must be the turning point; not just in words, but in action,” they stated.

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Saudi Arabia ‘s Aramco Helicopter Crashes, Kills 14

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A helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia killed 14 Saudi citizens on Sunday, the kingdom’s official press agency reported, adding that the aircraft belonged to state oil giant Aramco.

The Saudi Press Agency, citing an official at the energy ministry, reported the helicopter crashed in Ras Tanura in the country’s east.

“The accident claimed the lives of all 14 passengers, all Saudi citizens,” the agency said, adding that an investigation was under way to determine the cause of the crash.

Aramco says it operates more than 60 aircraft, including helicopters serving more than 300 heliports in Saudi Arabia, making it one of the largest corporate fleets in the region.

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The deadly accident comes as oil-rich Gulf nations seek to ramp up their output following Iranian attacks and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the export of oil and gas.

The Gulf monarchy did not indicate the incident was in any way connected to a hostile attack.
During the Middle East war, Iranian attacks had targeted energy facilities in the Gulf.

Ras Tanura is home to one of the largest refineries in the Middle East, with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day, and is critical to Saudi Arabia’s energy sector.

The refinery has been targeted several times, notably during an Iranian drone attack at the beginning of the conflict, which caused a fire and forced a partial shutdown.

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Riyadh said in April that the weeks-long attacks had disrupted several production operations at key facilities, with refineries in Ras Tanura as well as Jubail, Yanbu and Riyadh targeted.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading crude exporter, produces a little over 10 million bpd.

AFP

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SAD! Bandits’ bomb hits vehicle, kills one, injures many in Sokoto

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An Improvised Explosive Device, IED, planted by alleged bandits along the Kurawa–Sabon Birni road in Sokoto State on Sunday hit a vehicle, killing one person and injuring many passengers.

The incident raised fresh concerns over the growing use of explosive devices by criminal groups operating in parts of the North-West.

The vehicle was said to be conveying passengers from surrounding communities to Sabon Birni when it ran over the explosive device, triggering a blast that severely damaged the vehicle and left several occupants injured.

A security analyst based in the area, Bashir Guyawa, disclosed the incident in a post on his Facebook page.

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Guyawa described the incident as another reminder of the persistent security challenges confronting communities along the border axis.

He said the vehicle was on a routine passenger trip when the explosion occurred.

“The vehicle was conveying passengers early this morning on their way to Sabon Birni when the unfortunate incident happened,” he wrote.

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Twelve seriously injured in Kano farmers-herders clash

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Twelve people were injured in a clash between farmers from Larabar Gadan Sarki and herders from the communities of Majawa and Karade in Warawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The chairman of Warawa Local Government, Lamido Sunusi Ahmad, disclosed this in a statement issued by his media aide, Musleem Garindau.

The statement said the council chairman visited the injured victims at Wudil General Hospital and directed that the local government should cover the cost of their treatment until they had fully recovered.

He also commended community leaders and security personnel for their swift intervention, noting that calm had been restored to the affected communities.

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The chairman urged residents to refrain from spreading rumours or engaging in any act capable of escalating tensions and instead embrace dialogue to promote peaceful coexistence.

Speaking further, the Vice Chairman of Warawa Local Government, Hon. Ibrahim Abdu Madari, explained that the conflict involved residents of the communities, all of whom are indigenous to the area.

He said reports indicated that the violence began after a cow strayed into a farmer’s field and ate some crops. The farmer allegedly beat the cow, prompting its owner to assault the farmer, and the disagreement later escalated into a wider clash.

He also reiterated his appeal to residents to live peacefully and resolve disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding.

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