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There is palpable tension in Ataroga, a border community between Ebonyi and Benue states, following an attack by suspected gunmen on Fulani herders, resulting in the killing of over 30 cows.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, when residents were reportedly awakened by the sound of gunshots.

Ataroga is an Izzi-speaking community located in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.

Speaking to journalists, the village head, Chief Nwedoga James, said the community was thrown into panic after gunmen invaded the area and killed several cows belonging to herders who had lived peacefully in the community for decades.

According to him, following the attack, the herders accused villagers of masterminding the incident and allegedly embarked on reprisal actions, leading to the arrest of seven community members by the police. The arrested persons were taken to Igumale, where they are currently detained.

Chief Nwedoga further alleged that the herders have since been destroying houses and looting properties in the community, and appealed to the governors of Ebonyi and Benue states, Francis Nwifuru and Hyacinth Alia, respectively, to urgently intervene.

“We were woken up early on Thursday morning by the sound of gunshots. Families ran into nearby bushes out of fear. By morning, we discovered that unknown gunmen had attacked the herders and killed about 30 cows,” he said.

“Out of fear, many villagers fled the community. Later, the police came and arrested seven people, who were taken to Igumale.”

He disclosed that despite an intervention by the Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, who appealed to the herders not to carry out reprisal attacks while investigations continued, the situation has worsened.

“We have lived peacefully with these herders for years. We are innocent, yet our houses are being destroyed and residents harassed. We are pleading with our governors to come to our rescue,” he added.

Other stakeholders, including Mr Odebe Odegu and a church leader, Mr Anthony Nwibo, described the situation as disturbing and called on leaders of the two states, as well as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, to intervene urgently.

“We are in serious trouble. The Izzi people here are treated like strangers. We are neither fully Benue nor Ebonyi. We are being accused of a crime we did not commit,” they lamented.

“Our people are being attacked, our houses destroyed, and our properties looted. Herdsmen are looting homes and harassing residents. We need urgent help,” the village head cried out.

Meanwhile, victims of the alleged looting, Mr Lawrence Ogodo, a chemist shop owner, and Mr Joseph Agashi, a provision store operator and pharmacist, said their shops were looted at Aswa Chibueze and Igwebuike markets, along with over ten other shops.

As of the time of filing this report, seven community members remain in detention, while tension remains high in the area amid fears of further violence.

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The Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources has uncovered multiple irregularities at mining sites, including encroachment cases currently under investigation and widespread illegal mining activities allegedly carried out in collaboration with some community leaders.

The State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Hon. Muhammad Qasim Danjuma, disclosed this during an inspection of mining sites at Zuzungi in Katcha Local Government Area, where he reiterated the state government’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal mining.

During an interactive session with traditional rulers, community leaders, and mining operators, Danjuma warned that the ministry would engage its internal committee to review the findings and subsequently invite the affected communities for discussions, stressing that appropriate sanctions would be imposed where necessary.

He also revealed that a mining company, Millennium Metals, was found to be operating under a different name from the one used during its profiling with the ministry, describing the situation as suspicious and potentially conflict-generating.

Hon. Danjuma debunked claims by some operators that they had partnerships with the Niger State Government, noting that no such records exist and describing the claims as fabrications.

The commissioner emphasized the administration’s determination to ensure full regulatory compliance, environmental protection, and the welfare of host communities in line with the New Niger Agenda.

He disclosed that the ministry had limited prior information about the scale of mining activities at the Zuzungi site before the visit, noting with concern that numerous mining operations were ongoing without evidence of a Community Development Agreement (CDA).

He described the CDA as a mandatory requirement following the issuance of a federal mining licence and a critical component of social responsibility expected of any mining company before commencing operations.

“Unfortunately, we did not observe any sign of CDA implementation such as schools, electricity projects, healthcare facilities, boreholes, or other community impact developments. The absence of such initiatives was deeply disappointing,” the commissioner stated.

Hon. Danjuma further emphasized that significant efforts are required to reposition and revive the mineral sector in Niger State in alignment with the vision of His Excellency, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umar Bago.

He called on all stakeholders to set aside personal interests and work collectively towards the economic liberation and sustainable development of the state.

“Niger State is abundantly blessed with vast mineral resources. If these resources are carefully and judiciously harnessed, they will unlock enormous opportunities, generate employment, and drive development. It is unfortunate that the personal interests of a few stakeholders continue to obstruct the government’s mission,” he said.

He appealed to stakeholders and residents of Niger State to support the governor’s transformative agenda by allowing the Ministry of Mineral Resources to operate independently, without interference, to generate revenue that can fund critical infrastructure, reduce criminality, and alleviate extreme poverty across the state.

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Property worth several millions of naira were destroyed in the early hours of yesterday, when fire gutted a one-storey commercial building on Number 3, Osundairo Street, off Medical Road, in the Ikeja Computer Village area of the state.

According to eyewitness, the fire which occurred midnight, involved a commercial building, accommodating dealers in computers and accessories.

Though no casualty was recorded in the incident, but an official of Lagos State Firefighter sustained minor injuries during the operation and was administered first aid treatment on site by Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS.

Following distress alert received, men of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, arrived at the scene and put out the fire to prevent it from spreading to other apartments.

Vanguard gathered that the fire outbreak was as a result of electric surge. The building is primarily used for the storage and sale of computers and accessories.

The high volume of combustible materials was said to have contributed to the rapid spread of fire.
Meanwhile, relevant agencies have commenced investigation into the incident to establish the cause(s) as well as prevent future occurrence.

The entire top floor of the one-storey building was completely razed by the fire.

According to the Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, “All goods and properties worth several millions of naira stored therein were totally destroyed by the conflagration.

“Physical examination of the one-storey commercial building reveals partial compromise and requires immediate structural assessment.

“Upon arrival, LASEMA Response Team conducted Risk Assessment of the incident scene and cordoned off the activity area.

“We activated safety and precautionary measures to forestall damages to adjoining buildings and immediate environs of the incident scene.

“Prompt interventions were implemented by LRT, and other responders, to forestall escalation of fire to adjoining buildings.”

At press time, firefighting operations have successfully suppressed and contained the fire within the affected building, while continuous damping-down operations were ongoing to eliminate residual heat and prevent re-ignition.

Meanwhile, other traders, sympathisers were seen at the scene of the incident, lamenting the unfortunate situation, while victims were counting their loses.

Traders lament

The tragic incident has left many traders lamenting over the loss of their livelihoods and the destruction of their businesses.

The fire outbreak has not only caused significant property damage but has also left many stranded.

A victim, simply identified as John, in tears, lamented: “I lost sets of computers worth several millions of naira. I just restocked the shop. I am ruined.”

Hamed Animashaun, also a trader said “what is really going on. First, it was Balogun, now Computer Village. Are you thinking what am thinking?”

Also, Nwoko Oboro, who claimed he lost goods worth millions of naira, said: “After the fire, you won’t hear of any investigation; very unfortunate. Even if they investigate the incident, we will always be at the losing side.”

Peter Aloh, a trader at the market, said: “There is no smoke without fire, the smoke has been on since after the last presidential election, but now the fire has started.

“Fire upon fire. Does it mean the state governor cannot address the matter of fire in his state? Every market must have a mini fire station and every home/store owner must have a fire extinguisher,” he observed.

Kennedy Akachukwu has this to say: “People’s businesses were just burning. What a loss.”

Barclay Eke too: “Nigeria is developing? No fire trucks, no ambulances, no sanitation services, no health care services, and no good roads. Our governments have failed us seriously.”