By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Youths on Sunday stormed the Wurukum food basket roundabout to protest the alleged killing of scores of residents by suspected herdsmen in Yelwata, in Benue State.

The protesters converged on the Wurukum food basket roundabout Makurdi as early as 8 am to demand action over the alleged killing on Saturday in Yelwata.

They were later joined by a social media influencer, Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.

Speaking to journalists, one of the protesters, Solomon Amande, said Benue youths were angry at the deafening silence of President Bola Tinubu, and the governor of Benue State despite the killing of children, women, and the elderly.

An attempt by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Sam Ode, to address the protesters was resisted as they told him to tell the governor, Hyacinth Alia, to come personally to address them.

They were later confronted by armed policemen and soldiers who attempted to stop them, leading to an escalation and the use of tear gas at the protesters.

Some youths at the scene of the protest in Benue State after tear gas canisters were fired on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
However, the defiant protesters said they would resist any intimidation, calling on the President and the governor to take action.

The protest came amid incessant attacks that have resulted in the deaths of innocent people across the state.

Last Saturday, armed men, suspected to be herders invaded Yelwata, leaving scores of residents feared dead

Governor Condemns Attack
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Sunday condemned the attack and killing of innocent citizens at Yelewata by suspected criminal herders, saying that nothing should warrant the taking of life.

Alia, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the state, Sam Ode, on a visit to the scene of the heinous act earlier on Sunday, said he was not resting on his laurels to ensure that the state experiences peace.

He says, “Governor Hyacinth Alia acknowledges and shares in your pains and grief caused by the attacks on your community by criminal elements suspected to be armed herdsmen,” the governor was quoted as saying in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary on Sunday.

Alia said the state government was consistently engaging with federal security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen security interventions and provide lasting solutions to these persistent attacks

He, therefore, assured the residents that more tactical teams had started arriving in Benue from the Federal Government and additional security deployments were being arranged for vulnerable areas.

He said response squad teams were also deployed and would be in Benue from Sunday, while strategic community dialogues were ongoing to enhance active intelligence sharing.

The state’s joint operations units are also being strengthened, and the government will not relent in its utmost commitment to defending the lives and properties of all residents.

“In the spirit of peace and unity, we call on religious, traditional, and political leaders across the state to sensitise and guide the youths under their influence against unlawful gatherings or confrontations that may spiral out of control,” the governor added.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The skies opened up Saturday across several states of the federation rendering some roads flooded

The rain began early in the day just hours after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warned of thundery and rainy weather activities between yesterday and today across Nigeria.

A similar warning came from the Lagos State Government on Saturday.

The NiMET weather outlook predicted early morning thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna and Adamawa states in the north yesterday.

According to it, thunderstorms with rains were anticipated over parts of Kebbi, Taraba, Zamfara, Borno, Kaduna, Sokoto, Gombe and Bauchi states later in the day.

In the North-Central region, early morning thunderstorms are expected over parts of Benue, Plateau, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa states,” it said.

It followed up the warning with a post on its X account yesterday, drawing attention to the likelihood of flash floods in Akwa Ibom,Sokoto, Zamfara, Plateau, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Abia, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta and Rivers states.

It said: “As the rainy season intensifies, flash flooding remains a growing concern across Nigeria.

“Several states are already showing signs of significant rainfall accumulation, leading to a higher risk of flash floods.”

It listed Akwa Ibom as a high risk area, especially in urban and low-lying communities.

It warned residents to clear drainage systems, keep gutters, storm drains and canals free from debris to prevent blockages and local flooding.

Yesterday rainfall lasted several hours in Lagos metropolis.

Rainwater took over many roads and streets, slowing down vehicular movement.

The country is still reeling from the tragic effects of the recent flooding of Mokwa,Niger State.

Over 200 lives were lost in the incident which President Bola Tinubu described as distressing.

Lagos warns of imminent heavy rainfall

Lagos State Environment and Water Resources Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab warned residents of the state to prepare for potential flash floods and intense rainfall expected in the coming days.

The Commissioner, in a statement through the ministry’s Director Public Affairs, Mr. Kunle Adeshina, cited weather forecasts showing geostationary imagery with indications of thunderstorms, dense cloud cover, and widespread convective rainfall.

These conditions, according to him, could result in flash flooding in many parts of the state, particularly in low-lying areas and communities located near rivers and lagoons.

Wahab urged residents to remain alert, explaining that the forecast is a continuation of earlier warnings issued at the start of the rainy season.

He noted that the coastal nature of Lagos, combined with rising lagoon levels during periods of heavy rain, often causes tidal locks that can prevent effective drainage, worsening flood situations.

Besides, the Commissioner advised parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, particularly those currently on mid-term break, to prevent them from playing in floodwaters or attempting to swim in drainage channels — a practice that poses serious risks during such periods.

Motorists and pedestrians were also cautioned not to attempt to wade through flooded roads, as the depth and strength of the water may lead to vehicles being submerged or individuals being swept away by strong currents.

Wahab stressed the ongoing efforts of the state government to maintain and clear drainage systems year-round but added that when rainfall exceeds normal levels, community cooperation becomes crucial.

He also warned against the dangerous habit of dumping refuse in drains, reminding the public that such actions block waterways and increase the likelihood of flooding.

Offenders will be held accountable, he added.

We’re prepared in Anambra, says commissioner

The Anambra State Government yesterday expressed its preparedness for any flood-related emergency.

Environment Commissioner Felix Odimegwu told reporters in Awka that his ministry, in collaboration with relevant agencies, had intensified the sensitisation of the people to this year’s rainfall and likely flooding.

A downpour on Monday had caused severe flooding around Zik’s Avenue, Iweka Road near the popular Ochanja Market in Onitsha, the commercial centre of the state.

Odimegwu said the campaign and sensitisation was in response to early warnings from NiMET which listed Anambra among the states at high risk of flooding during the rainy season.

He said: “After the first six months seasonal prediction by NiMet, we disseminated the information and notified residents, especially those living at the coastal areas about the upcoming rainfall and flooding consequences, and urged the general public to be absolutely careful and prepared for it.

“The state government has consistently sensitises the people to desist from blocking water channels and drainages in and around surroundings of their houses to pave way for easy flow of flooding.

“The blockage of water drainages is the root cause of man-made flooding.

“What we are doing is that whatever would cause flooding in the urban areas by man, we will try to prevent it.

“But if it is the flooding caused by river rising above the sea level, we will give warning to people living in the riverine areas to prepare on how to vacate.”

Mai Garin Mokwa seeks urgent fumigation to avert outbreak

The Mai Garin Mokwa (Ndalile of Mokwa), Alhaji Muhammed Aliyu, has called for urgent fumigation of the area to prevent the possible outbreak of diseases.

He made the call when he received the officials of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) who paid him a sympathy visit at his palace in Mokwa, following the recent flood disaster that claimed over 200 lives and displaced many.

Ndalile of Mokwa said the call for the fumigation became necessary due to the discovery of some decomposing bodies in different parts of the community.

According to him, the major issue was the strong odour emanating from the area, which he said was suggestive of the presence of decomposing bodies under debris

If nothing urgent is done, it is capable of causing a major health disaster,” he said.

He commended the members of the NCWS for providing vital support to the flood victims, particularly women and children through their timely donations.

The National President of NCWS, Mrs Justina Yakubu, expressed sympathy to the families of those that lost their loved ones, homes and means of livelihoods

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and property, and our heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.

“We wish to, on behalf of our members, extend our deepest condolences to you, the people of Mokwa, and the families affected by the recent flood disaster.

“We pray that God should take care of the orphans and the widows and give them open doors so that they will be able to rebuild their homes and settle down,” she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that officials of the NCWS also visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps where they donated relief items including clothes, food and toiletries to the flood victims.

One of the victims, Felicia Abba, thanked the NCWS for the visit and the support given to them.

United States President Donald Trump is considering imposing a travel ban on Nigeria and a host of other countries, mostly from Africa.

The affected countries are expected to meet new requirements laid down by the State Department within 60 days.

“The new list includes Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

“The memo identified varied benchmarks that, in the administration’s estimation, these countries were failing to meet.

Some countries had “no competent or cooperative central government authority to produce reliable identity documents or other civil documents,” or they suffered from widespread government fraud.”

Others are Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

The countries on the new list are also expected to submit to the State Department, on Wednesday, an initial plan of action to meet the new requirements.

In March, Trump had considered imposing a travel ban on 43 countries, while Nigeria was not on the list.

The 43 countries were divided into three groups: red, orange, and yellow.
The red group consists of 11 countries whose nationals would be barred from entering the US.

The orange group comprises 10 countries whose visas would be sharply restricted.

The countries under yellow were given 60 days to address concerns.