Royal News

Tag: Benue

  • SERAP, NGE Urge Tinubu, Governors to Protect Journalists, Tackle Insecurity

    SERAP, NGE Urge Tinubu, Governors to Protect Journalists, Tackle Insecurity

    The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have called on the administration of Bola Tinubu, state governors, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to urgently safeguard press freedom and address worsening insecurity across parts of northern Nigeria.

    The call was made in a joint statement to mark World Press Freedom Day, following a conference held in Ikeja, Lagos, where stakeholders discussed the role of the media in promoting accountability, justice, and human rights amid rising violence.

    Both organisations stressed that protecting journalists and ensuring information integrity are critical to peace, security, and democratic stability. They warned that continued attacks on media practitioners and restrictions on press freedom could further weaken governance and fuel misinformation.

    According to the groups, ongoing violence in states such as Benue, Borno, Kwara, Plateau, and Sokoto has led to widespread killings, displacement, and destruction of livelihoods, with women and children disproportionately affected.

    They described the situation as a reflection of systemic failures to prevent harm, investigate abuses, and hold perpetrators accountable, noting that such lapses violate Nigeria’s obligations under the Constitution and international human rights frameworks.

    The organisations also highlighted the humanitarian consequences of the crisis, including разрушed communities and lack of justice for victims, warning that persistent impunity continues to erode public trust in government institutions.

    Referencing the 2026 global theme by UNESCO, “Shaping a Future of Peace,” they emphasised the central role of a free and independent media in fostering stability and sustainable development.

    They noted that Sections 22 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution mandate the media to hold government accountable and guarantee freedom of expression, urging authorities not only to refrain from interference but also to actively protect journalists.

    Among their recommendations, SERAP and NGE called for thorough and independent investigations into human rights violations, prosecution of offenders and their sponsors, and effective remedies for victims, including compensation and rehabilitation.

    They also urged the Federal Government to improve transparency in security operations, establish public reporting systems for tracking incidents and responses, and collaborate with international bodies for independent fact-finding missions.

    The groups further appealed to the National Assembly to exercise its oversight powers by convening public hearings on insecurity and attacks on journalists, with a view to strengthening legal protections and accountability mechanisms.

    Speaking at the event, human rights lawyer Femi Falana described impunity as a major driver of violence, warning that any government that fails to protect its citizens undermines its legitimacy.

    He emphasised that journalists play a vital role in exposing abuses, preventing violence, and strengthening democracy, adding that they should be seen as partners rather than adversaries.

    The event brought together media executives, editors, and civil society actors, all of whom expressed commitment to advancing press freedom and ensuring accountability in Nigeria’s governance and security systems.

  • Gunmen abduct nine worshippers from Catholic night vigil in Benue

    Gunmen abduct nine worshippers from Catholic night vigil in Benue

    The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of nine worshippers during a night vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije community, Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area of the state.

     

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edet Udeme, disclosed the incident on Monday during an interview with newsmen.

     

    According to the police, the victims were participating in a night vigil when armed assailants stormed the church and whisked them away to an unknown destination.

     

    DSP Udeme stated that following the incident, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and operational units to the affected community to intensify search-and-rescue efforts.

     

    She assured residents that the command remains committed to protecting lives and property across the state.

     

    The PPRO added that security has been reinforced in vulnerable areas to forestall further attacks and ensure the safety of citizens.

     

    Efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted worshippers and apprehend those responsible for

    the attack.

     

  • Benue Nurses Warn BSUTH’s Hardline Actions May Prolong Ongoing Strike

    Benue Nurses Warn BSUTH’s Hardline Actions May Prolong Ongoing Strike

    The Benue State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has warned that punitive actions allegedly taken by the management of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, could worsen and prolong the ongoing industrial action by nurses.

    The warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the state chairman of NANNM, Tahav Kershio, who condemned what he described as intimidation, threats, and punitive measures against striking nurses. He said such approaches were outdated, counterproductive, and capable of derailing peaceful efforts to resolve the dispute.

    According to Kershio, several newly employed nurses are yet to receive their salaries, while older staff members are being paid only partially. He further alleged that some nurses were being threatened with dismissal, removal from confirmation, and other sanctions that could escalate tensions and draw national attention to the crisis at BSUTH.

    The NANNM chairman expressed concern that these actions were taking place while the union leadership was engaged in high-level negotiations with the Benue State Government, accusing the hospital management of undermining efforts to end the strike.

    Kershio revealed that over 100 nurses were owed between two and three months’ salary arrears spanning 2024 and 2025. He also said promotion shortfall arrears for 2023 remained unpaid, noting that affected nurses reportedly received only ₦120,000 instead of the approved ₦750,000, alongside other outstanding entitlements.

    He added that similar unresolved issues affecting nurses under the Primary Health Care Board and the Hospital Management Board — including their removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme — must be addressed before the union could consider suspending the strike.

    Kershio noted that the grievances had lingered for more than a year despite repeated letters and meetings. He recalled that during the nationwide nurses’ strike, newly employed nurses at BSUTH were exempted to enable them pursue their unpaid 2024 allowances, but said no progress was made.

    The NANNM chairman dismissed claims that the striking nurses were politically motivated or indifferent to the welfare of the hospital, describing such allegations as false and misleading. He emphasized that the association had no political agenda and had consistently acknowledged the efforts of Governor Hyacinth Alia toward improving the health sector in Benue State.

    Kershio appealed to the Benue State Government to urgently intervene to prevent further escalation of the crisis and restore industrial harmony at BSUTH.

  • NiMet Forecasts Sun, Clouds, And Thunderstorms Across Nigeria

    NiMet Forecasts Sun, Clouds, And Thunderstorms Across Nigeria

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted a mix of sunshine, clouds, and scattered thunderstorms across the country from Monday to Wednesday.

    NiMet’s outlook, released in Abuja, forecast sunny skies with occasional clouds over northern states on Monday morning. Isolated thunderstorms with light rain were expected in parts of Taraba and southern Kebbi, with moderate rainfall later over Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kebbi, and southern Sokoto.

    In the central region, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine were anticipated, along with morning thunderstorms and moderate rainfall over Niger, Benue, Plateau, and Kogi states. Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms were expected over the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Kogi, Kwara, and Nasarawa states.

    For the southern region, a cloudy atmosphere with morning light rain was forecast for Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Imo, Ebonyi, and Abia states. Moderate rainfall and isolated thunderstorms were expected across most southern states later in the day.

    On Tuesday, NiMet predicted similar patterns: sunny skies with clouds in the north, morning thunderstorms in Kaduna, Taraba, Bauchi, southern Kano, southern Jigawa, and Adamawa, and moderate rainfall later in the day. Central states were expected to have morning light rain in Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Benue, and the FCT, followed by afternoon isolated thunderstorms.

    The southern region was expected to experience morning rainfall over Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom, with afternoon thunderstorms and moderate rain across Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.

    On Wednesday, NiMet forecast sunny skies and cloud patches in the north, with light morning rain in Taraba and afternoon isolated thunderstorms over Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba. The central region was expected to have intermittent sunshine, morning thunderstorms, and light rain in Niger, Kwara, and Benue, followed by isolated moderate rainfall over Kogi, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, and the FCT.

    In the south, morning thunderstorms and light rain were predicted for Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa, with moderate rainfall expected across most southern states later in the day.

    NiMet advised motorists to drive cautiously during rains, secure loose objects, and disconnect electrical appliances. The public was urged to avoid tall trees to prevent injury from falling branches, while farmers were advised to delay fertilizer and pesticide application before rainfall.

    The agency also advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports to ensure safe flight operations.

  • Benue chairman confirms recovery of more police bodies

    Benue chairman confirms recovery of more police bodies

    Benue police

    Makurdi — Eight additional bodies of police officers killed in last Friday’s ambush by armed herdsmen and local militia in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State have been recovered.

    The joint security team, comprising police personnel and members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG), was ambushed during a clearance operation between Tse Agbami and Agu Centre, on the boundary with Ukum LGA.

    About 16 officers were initially reported dead, with others missing after the attackers set ablaze operational trucks and made away with motorbikes.

    Three bodies were recovered on Saturday, while search operations continued for the missing officers. On Sunday, eight more corpses were found.

    Chairman of Katsina-Ala council, Justine Shaku, confirmed the discovery, saying it was made during an operation led by Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari.

    “Eight more bodies of police officers were recovered on Sunday night, bringing the total to 11. The Commissioner of Police is here with me, though the atmosphere remains tense. We are, however, on top of the situation,” he said.

    As of press time, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the attack.

  • Makurdi court remands suspect over terrorism, robbery charges

    Makurdi court remands suspect over terrorism, robbery charges

    Law

    A Magistrate Court in Makurdi has ordered the remand of Mr. Haakyav Tombu Peter, also known as OrDubuDeli, at the Makurdi Correctional Facility over allegations of terrorism and robbery.

    Peter had initially approached the Benue State Commissioner of Police, claiming he was attacked at Judges’ Quarters in Makurdi on Sunday, during which his mobile phone was stolen. The situation escalated when a counter-petition was filed at the state police headquarters, accusing him of leading an assault on the residence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in Makurdi, allegedly with unidentified accomplices.

    After his arrest, Peter was arraigned before the court. The magistrate denied him bail due to the serious nature of the allegations and ordered his remand in custody. His lawyers have filed a bail application, which is scheduled for hearing tomorrow. The case has attracted significant public attention, with many closely following developments.

  • Victim of Benue herdsmen assault faces 50-50 survival


    A young farmer is in critical condition after being attacked by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen at Tse-Iordye in Ndzorov Council Ward, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

    The victim, who was working on his farm during the assault, suffered life-threatening injuries, including an amputated finger, severed veins from deep arm cuts, and multiple head wounds. Medical officials attending to him said his chances of survival were “50-50.”

    He was first taken to the police divisional headquarters in Gbajimba before being moved to a hospital, where doctors are struggling to stabilize him.

    Residents have appealed to both the state and federal governments to urgently step in and halt the recurring violence, which has led to repeated killings and mass displacement in the area.

  • 14-Year-Old IDP dies from snake bite in Benue

    14-Year-Old IDP dies from snake bite in Benue

    Map of Benue

    A 14-year-old internally displaced person, Chagu Terhemen, has died days after being bitten by a snake in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.

    Terhemen was attacked on Friday while heading to the farm with his father at Tse Kyomke mbapupuu in Gaambe Ushin Council Ward. Despite initial traditional treatment, his condition worsened, and he began convulsing.

    He was later rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, on Monday following the intervention of the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, James Iorpuu. However, he passed away later that night.

    A fellow displaced person, Terna Ibaah, said at least 12 IDPs in Agagbe camp had suffered snake bites between January and August, though Terhemen’s case was the first to result in death this year.

  • Mob burns suspected motorcycle thief in Makurdi

    Mob burns suspected motorcycle thief in Makurdi

    Map of Benue State

    A suspected motorcycle snatcher was on Tuesday morning lynched and set ablaze by a mob along Ibrahim Kashim Road in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    Eyewitnesses said two passengers had hired an okada rider to the Railway Quarters area, where another gang member was already waiting. On arrival, the supposed passengers alighted, and the waiting accomplice attacked the rider with scissors, stabbing him multiple times. The suspects then attempted to escape with the motorcycle.

    However, one of the suspects reportedly fell off during the escape and was overpowered by residents, who dragged him onto the road and set him on fire. Police and sanitation workers later evacuated the remains.

    The Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the incident but said details would be provided later.

  • Fresh Herdsmen Attack Kills Benue Woman, Son

    Fresh Herdsmen Attack Kills Benue Woman, Son

    Tragedy struck Ngban village in Nyiev Ward, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, as a father, mother, and their son were laid to rest following separate attacks by suspected herdsmen.

    The family patriarch, Mr. Iorhen, was reportedly killed in an earlier assault and his body was awaiting burial in a local mortuary when a fresh attack claimed the lives of his wife, Mrs. Mlumun Iorhen, and their son, Terkimbi. They were reportedly murdered while working on their farm.

    The killings have intensified fears across Guma, a region already plagued by frequent violence linked to suspected herdsmen attacks. Residents report increasing displacement, food insecurity, and widespread trauma among affected communities.

    A community elder described the atmosphere as one of despair, saying, “This is the reality we face today. Life has become unbearably harsh and unpredictable.”