Category Nigeria News

In order to implement President Bola Tinubu’s call for the establishment of a peace committee to combat insecurity in the state, George Akume, the secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF), has begun consultations with traditional Benue leaders.

Akume visited the Tor Tiv James Ortese Ayatse and the Och’Idoma, John Elaigwu Odogbo, at their palaces in Makurdi and Otukpo, respectively, in a statement from Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, on Saturday.

Following his condolence and solidarity visit to the state on Wednesday following a deadly attack in Yelewata that reportedly claimed over 200 lives, the consultations were aimed at fine-tuning modalities for the president’s directive’s prompt implementation.

Both traditional rulers were informed of their appointment by President Tinubu to the Peace Committee by Senator Akume.

He emphasized the need for swiftly forming a consensus-building process to create an inclusive and effective committee capable of restoring peace and stability to the troubled region.

The President, in his opinion, is deeply concerned about how the violence continues to affect Benue, the country’s main agricultural producer and key contributor to national food security.

The SGF commended the royal fathers for their efforts to ensure that the traditional institution continues to be active in protecting local communities while welcoming the president during his recent visit.

Both the Tor Tiv and the Och’Idoma praised the Federal Government’s support for the peace-building process. Numerous well-known Benue figures accompanied the SGF on their visits.

Incessant killings 

The Benue attacks were “a deliberate, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits,” according to The Tor Tiv.

The rising death toll and destruction have sparked outrage and condemnation across the country. The most recent massacre in Yelewata, according to Pope Leo XIV, was a “terrible tragedy” and necessitated urgent intervention to put an end to the conflict.

A recent wave of violent attacks, frequently attributed to suspected herdsmen, have plagued the state. Numerous observers have attributed the current situation to nomadic pastoralists’ land disputes with indigenous farming communities.

Over 160 people have died in various communities over the past two months, just one of them. In one of the most recent incidents, a quick raid on Yelewata resulted in scores of murders and more than 3, 000 displacements. Civil society organizations insist that the death toll is more than 200, compared to 59 in government figures.

President Tinubu visited Benue on Wednesday to assess the security situation and express condolences to the victims in the midst of growing criticism from the opposition and human rights organizations.

To promote community-based reconciliation and restore stability, Tinubu announced the establishment of a Peace Committee made up of traditional rulers like the Tor Tiv and the Och’Idoma.

The president urged security agencies to take a decisive stance at a stakeholder meeting held at the Government House in Makurdi.

“Police, I hope your men are listening for information,” the policeman said. Why hasn’t an arrest been made yet? According to Tinubu, I anticipate that those criminals will be apprehended.

The president continued, “Christopher, you have given a lot,” in a direct message to the Chief of Defence Staff and other senior officers. You can’t get tired of being in the bush, I hear you saying. We appreciate your hospitality, Oloyede and the Air Marshal, but we must maintain our ears on the ground. Get those criminals, folks. Let’s remove them.

He further instructed intelligence services to improve data collection and surveillance.

Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commander of the newly established Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari, led troops of the newly established Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari in a successful two-day clearance operation across parts of Southern Taraba in an ongoing effort to eliminate criminal elements that undermine the peace and security of communities in Taraba State.

The intensive operation, which was conducted in Wukari and Takum Local Government Areas between June 19 and June 20, 2025, targeted known bandit communities and alleged criminal hideouts.

On June 19, 2025, troops moved along the High Tension route in Wukari LGA, passing through towns like Lortema, Gudu, Mbayenge, and Teyotima.

Strategic areas like river lines, high grounds, abandoned settlements, and known terrorist hideouts were thoroughly searched, according to an acting assistant director, Army Public Relations, Captain Olubodunde Oni, of the 6 Brigade, Nigeria Army.

To prevent the state’s Wukari Local Government Area from destroying law and order, this operation comes after the Nigerian Army’s forward operating base was established in the state’s Wukari Local Government Area.

Credible information about the location of Teyotima village’s mother, Angba (FNU), is well known as “Yellow.” The suspect is alleged to have a refuge in the village. No weapons or suspects were discovered, despite the cordoned off and searched area.

Further operations expanded to Ikayior village, where Akiki Utiv, alias “Full Fire,” is a known wanted criminal. A bandit camp was discovered and destroyed within the village by soldiers.

14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition loaded in an AK-47 magazine were recovered after conducting a search of the premises. In order to stop criminal elements from using the camp in the future, the camp was later destroyed.

Without making any enemy contact, troops continued clearing operations through Chanchangi, Jam Kaanan, Hingir, Ukum, and Nbaume villages in Takum LGA on June 20.

However, troops encountered hostile fire at Mande Atsager, which was Verior John Gata’s wanted bandit leader’s hideout. The bandits fled into the nearby forest and abandoned their camp after being overrun by the troops’ superior firepower.

A search of the location turned up a building with four in-built detention cells, one of which is thought to have been used to hold kidnapped victims pending ransom payments. A human skull-containing shrine was also discovered by soldiers, which suggests that occult practices are employed to support criminal activity. The camp was completely destroyed, and the entire area was cleared.

Eight wedding-bound travelers were killed by a mob in Plateau State’s Mangun District and Mangu Local Government Area. &nbsp,

The victims were traveling from Zaria in Kaduna State to Plateau State’s Quan’pan Local Government Area for a wedding on Friday evening when the incident occurred. &nbsp,

However, they mistook their turn and unintentionally entered a tense and volatile Mangun neighborhood, a city dealing with persistent terrorist attacks.

Tragically, the skirmishes that erupted led to the loss of eight innocent lives were carried out by the travelers. At the General Hospital in Mangu, a number of others suffered varying degrees of injuries.

Read more about the  Thirteen killed and homes burned as gunmen attack Plateau communities

Plateau Governor denounces the incident, condoles victims’ families, and condemns it

Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has meanwhile expressed his heartfelt condolences for the tragic mob behavior.

Governor Mutfwang, who had visited the hospital and the scene of the tragic incident, expressed deep grief and said the mob’s actions could be completely justified.

He expressed sadness over coordinated terrorist assaults that have claimed the lives of people in Mangu and the neighboring communities of Chakfem in Mangu Local Government Area and Mushere in Bokkos Local Government Area, as well as causing widespread displacement and mourning among communities.

Governor Mutfwang, however, argued that the ongoing attacks did not support a senseless attack on innocent commuters.

“We in Plateau State are going through a tragic day today. The governor said, “I never imagined such a senseless act of violence could occur within our borders, especially given the commendable efforts of our youths in this community and the nearby districts who consistently rise up to support security agencies in defending against criminal incursions.”

“It is deeply depressing that the same young people who have shown courage and patriotism also turn their heads and enforce the law.” The government won’t sweep it under the carpet because it is completely unacceptable.

We are attempting to create a plateau that is both hospitable and welcoming to visitors. The governor continued, “We have been educating our young people about the importance of allowing free passage on all roads across the state,” and this incident has come as a rude shock to us.

I want to reassure Nigerians that Plateau will remain a safe haven for all travelers, Mutfwang said. The executive governor of Kaduna State, who I am speaking with, has been in touch with.

“I also reached out to his royal highness, the Emir of Zazzau, to express my condolences for this tragic loss of lives. We will be sending a high-level delegation to Kaduna State and the Zazzau Emirate in the spirit of solidarity.

The governor emphasized that such violent acts of violence are unacceptable in a civilized society and expressed his sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the Kaduna State government, and the people of Kaduna State.

Despite the suffering and frustration of under siege communities, the governor vehemently warned against using mob violence or jungle justice, regardless of the provocation.

The Plateau State Government will cover the full cost of the victims’ treatment, according to instructions from the General Hospital in Mangu and all other medical facilities that treat them.

The governor has also ordered security companies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, ensure justice is served, and take proactive steps to stop any recurrence.

In the interim, the governor has established a high-powered delegation to visit the government of Kaduna state and the deceased’s families in Zaria to offer sincere condolences to Plateau State and the Kaduna state government.