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‘Herdsmen Attack Claims 257 Lives’ …As Gunmen Invade Police Station, Kill Officer

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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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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam

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The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.

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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence

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The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.

The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.

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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027

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A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.

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