News
Fulani Militias Attack Benue Community, Kill One, Abduct Three Women
Barely two weeks after armed herdsmen militias allegedly attacked some communities in Guma Local Government Area, suspected Fulani herdsmen, yesterday afternoon, reportedly attacked Div-nazaav community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State killing one person and hacked three women.
However, both the state police command and the military spike Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) said they were not aware of any fresh attack in the area.
A native of the community, Solomon Amande, said in Makurdi that the armed herders stormed the area, last Friday, and camped in a nearby swampy area, adding that it was from there that they rose to unleash mayhem on the people, yesterday.
He said one Tarfa Simon was killed in the first compound the suspected armed herdsmen entered while a woman, Ngusonon Kighir that was frying Garri in the compound was given a serious machete cut on her body.
“On sighting Simon, they killed him and machete the woman. They also took two women with little children while shooting sporadically. They told the women that they would not kill them (women) because they(herdsmen) were instructed not to kill women but men and boys. They could have killed those children but they discovered that the children are all girls after conducting search on them”.
“As I talk to you, we have recovered the corpse and Ngusonon Kighir is also currently receiving medical treatment at Msonter clinic and maternity Jato-aka in Kwande. We have reported this early morning attack to the divisional police station in Kwande and the police post in Turan Jato-aka.
Amande disclosed further that the entire community has been deserted as the people have all fled from the area and are currently taking refuge under market shades at Jato-aka main market.
“We have resolved to live with the herders who go about with sophisticated weapons but they have resolved to be killing our people who do not even have knives apart from hoes for farm work. The burden is too much, we are hapless and helpless, and we don’t have financial power to resist those who are bent on taking over our land.
Amande, who lamented that every year, his people are being attacked and killed by armed herdsmen appealed to the state and federal governments to create a special camp in the area to mitigate against the incessant attacks.
When contacted, the Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, said she was yet to be briefed about any fresh attack in Kwande, and promised to get back journalists as soon as she gets the information.
On his part, Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, (OPWS), Maj-Gen Adeyemi Yekini, said that there was no case of fresh attack in Kwande area of the state.
“I have my troops on ground in Jato-aka in Kwande area. I have sent them to the area. The people are alleging that herdsmen militias killed people. To the best of my knowledge, no new case in Kwande, it is just rumour,” Yekini explained.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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