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‘Herdsmen Attack Claims 257 Lives’ …As Gunmen Invade Police Station, Kill Officer
Over 257 persons were reportedly killed following the incessant clashes between the herdsmen and farmers, so far this year, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has said.
Mustapha disclosed this, yesterday, at the opening ceremony of the Federal and States Security Administrators’ Meeting (FSSAM), taking place in Katsina State.
The SGF, who was represented by his Permanent Secretary, Sulaiman Haliru, said the figure was recorded in 30 incidents, and excluding the recent incidents.
Haliru, who doubles as the chairman of the forum, mentioned about seven states were most affected by the incidence.
According to him, “Within the last few months, we have recorded a total of over 30 incidence which have claimed lives of more than 257 persons within this year alone.
“States most affected are Zamfara, Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger, Kaduna to mention but a few. In fact, other states in the southern part of the country are also affected,” he said.
Haliru also said the meeting will look into increasing cases of kidnapping, abduction as well as child abuse and proffer lasting solutions to the menace.
“Apart from this (herdsmen/farmers clash), we also have other problems, security challenges which are also compounding the security landscape. This is in the area of Kidnapping and abduction.
“Kidnapping and Abduction use to be restricted to some areas but now and from record it is virtually a national menace, becoming so rampant in everywhere. Another worrying issue is the increasing menace of child abuse. Children are now becoming victims of criminal rape and molestation.
“So, it calls for all hands on deck in order to control and put an end to the seemingly disturbing occurrence of the incidence,” Haliru said.
On the 2019 forthcoming general elections, Haliru called on the political actors to avoid utterances and actions that could trigger insecurity in the country.
Declaring open the event, Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari said the state government has always taken the issue of security seriously, and has invested so much in it and has achieved a lot in the protection of lives and properties of people in the state.
“Cumulatively, the state government spends over 60 million natural monthly in assisting and supporting the security agencies in the state.
“It is against this backdrop and our present financial position that I would like to solicit that the Federal Government come in and look into the issue of funding of security agencies operating in the states,” Masari appealed.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of Katsina State and the Chairman, Amnesty Dialogue Committee, Mustapha Inuwa described the essence of the security meeting as to build strategies to improve security in troubled states and the nation at large.
Meanwhile, suspected herdsmen, yesterday morning, invaded Agasha community in Guma LGA of Benue State, killing an elderly woman and setting many houses ablaze.
It was gathered that the gunmen, heavily armed with dangerous weapons, stormed the village at the wee hours of yesterday, shooting sporadically into air, thereby causing panic among villagers.
A source hinted this reporter that the shootings were still on at the time of this report, while over 15 houses have been razed by the gunmen.
Meanwhile, the Police Command in Niger yesterday said that a police Sergeant, Jibril Abubakar, was killed and his rifle taken away when gunmen attacked its Divisional Police Station at Kutigi in Lavun Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammadu Abubakar, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the command headquarters .
He said that the gunmen stormed Kutigi police station around 3.50 am yesterday and shot at people, but were repelled by the guards on duty.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Dibal Yakadi had constituted a seven-man committee led by ACP Abdullahi Tahir to probe the incident and bring the perpetrators to book.
He said that the command promised a N500,000 reward to anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the gunmen.
The command solicited the support of residents for vital information to assist the command in apprehending bad elements in the state.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene