Law & Crime
Insecirity: Senate urges establishment of military base in Benue’s Kwande communities
By George Mgbeleke
In a bid to end incessant killings in Benue and other parts of the country,the Senate on Thursday urged the Federal Government to establish a military base in Kwande, Benue State, to strengthen security and enable displaced residents to return safely.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance raised by Sen. Emmanuel Udende (Benue Northeast) over escalating terrorist attacks across Kwande communities.
Udende said recent coordinated assaults by armed attackers in Kwande Local Government Area left more than 20 residents dead and forced many families to flee.
He explained that the attackers targeted villages and local markets, leaving widespread destruction, displacement, and fear among residents struggling to rebuild their shattered communities.
The senator recalled that on February 5, 2026, assailants invaded a settlement in the area, killing several residents, injuring others, and destroying homes and properties.
He added that nearly 50 people were reportedly killed in the February attacks, while several residents remain missing as communities continue searching for their loved ones.
Udende said that while victims were still mourning, another wave of deadly attacks occurred across parts of Kwande in March 2026, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
According to him, on March 10, 2026, gunmen again invaded communities, killing about eleven people and spreading panic among already traumatised residents.
He also noted that another attack on March 5 in the Bachor community resulted in additional deaths and destruction of properties worth millions of naira.
“Several bodies recovered from the attacks remain unidentified, while about twenty-five persons are still missing,” Udende told lawmakers during plenary.
He warned that intimidation and arrests of local vigilantes by security operatives could undermine cooperation between community volunteers and official security agencies.
Udende said poor road networks, weak communication infrastructure, and absence of permanent security formations have continued to hinder rapid response to distress calls.
“Improved security presence and communication facilities will significantly enhance response time and protect lives in these vulnerable rural communities,” he stated.
Seconding the motion, Sen. Osita Izunaso warned that the security crisis in Benue had become a national emergency requiring urgent government intervention.
“It is unacceptable that a senator could be attacked even while worshipping in church,” Izunaso said
He described the proposed military base as a proactive step toward preventing further attacks and safeguarding lives ahead of upcoming political activities.
Also contributing, Sen. Ahmed Lawan said the recurring discussions on attacks and kidnappings showed Nigeria must rethink its overall security strategy.
“Our armed forces are not magicians. They can not defeat these criminals without adequate weapons, logistics, and timely release of operational resources,” Lawan said
He urged the National Assembly and government agencies to ensure security forces receive sufficient funding, equipment, and operational support to protect citizens.
The Senate thereafter observed a one-minute silence in honour of victims killed in attacks across Abande, Awu, Asinuba, Awapacho and other affected communities.
Lawmakers also urged security agencies to intensify surveillance, coordinated patrols and operations across the troubled communities to prevent further attacks.
The Senate further called on the federal government to establish a military base at the Ikyurav-Ya-Ukusu axis to ensure sustained security presence.
The lawmakers said the measure would enable displaced residents from affected communities in the Kwande Local government to return to their ancestral homes.
The Senate also urged telecommunications companies to install communication masts in affected areas to enable residents to make timely distress calls during emergencies.
In addition, lawmakers asked the NEMA to provide relief materials and humanitarian assistance to affected families across Kwande and other affected Benue local governments areas
Law & Crime
Lifu Judgement : ADC Guber Candidates Forum Seeks Int. Community’s Intervention
By Grorge Abuja
As the awaits the outcome of Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment invalidating Sen. David Mark led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ( ADC), a Forum of the African Democratic Congress gubernatorial candidates has condemned the ruling and sought the intervention of International community.
Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court ,Abuja had in its judgment invalidated Sen. David Mark led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
The Forum had at a Press Conference on thursday at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja , described the judgment as a dangerous assault on multi party democracy and a threat to Nigetian’ s 2027 electoral process.
A former member of the house of Representatives and ADC kwara state gubernatorial candidates, Hon Zakari Mohammed who spoke on behalf of the forum urged the international Community to monitor the development and process leading to the 2027 general election.
He said ” We Call on the International Community, African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations, Commonwealth and Democratic Institutions Worldwide to Intervene Against the Growing Threat to Opposition Politics in Nigeria.
Distinguished members of the press, fellow Nigerians, representatives of the international community, ladies and gentlemen.
We address you today on behalf of the Forum of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Gubernatorial Candidates across Nigeria, at a defining moment in the history of our democracy.
“We are compelled to speak out against the November 5, 2026 judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified the leadership of the ADC under Senator David Mark and invalidated decisions taken under that leadership,
This judgment has profound implications beyond the internal affairs of the ADC. It raises fundamental questions about judicial consistency, political participation, the independence of democratic institutions and the future of multiparty democracy in Nigeria.
“We consider the decision a grave assault on democratic freedoms and a development capable of destabilising the 2027 electoral process if its implications are not urgently addressed through lawful constitutional remedies.
“We hereby formally draw the attention of the international community to the unfolding developments in Nigeria.
We call on:
The United Nations Secretary-General and relevant democratic institutions of the United Nations.
The African Union Commission and its Peace and Security Council.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Commonwealth Secretariat.
The European Union and European Parliament.
The United States Government and the United Kingdom Government.
International human rights organisations and democracy-monitoring institutions.
International election observation organisations.
“We urge these institutions to closely monitor developments surrounding opposition political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
We specifically call on them to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the relevant Nigerian authorities on the need to guarantee political pluralism, judicial independence, freedom of association and equal opportunities for all political parties.
“We are not inviting foreign governments to dictate Nigeria’s political choices or interfere in the legitimate judicial process.
Rather, we are asking the international community to uphold the democratic commitments Nigeria has voluntarily undertaken and to ensure that the rights of Nigerian citizens to participate in free and competitive elections are protected.
Nigeria cannot sign international democratic instruments, make commitments to democratic governance and subsequently treat those obligations as ceremonial documents”
The Forum called on the appellate courts to urgently examine the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu and determine the issues raised in accordance with the Constitution, established judicial precedents and the rule of law.
It urged President Tinubu to create the environment that will guarantee free participation than harassment and muzzling of the opposition .
“You cannot demand democratic legitimacy while allowing an environment in which opposition parties face persistent uncertainty over their ability to organise and contest elections.
If you seek another mandate, face the Nigerian people.
Present your achievements, defend your policies and submit yourself to the judgment of the electorate.
That is the essence of democracy.
The opposition is not an enemy of Nigeria. Political disagreement is not treason. Competition for public office is not an act of hostility against the state”
Law & Crime
Niger Police Assures FUT Minna of Enhanced Security
BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA
The Niger State Police Command has assured the management of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, of sustained police patrols and enhanced security around the university to protect students, staff and property.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, gave the assurance when he received the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adamu Faruk Kuta, and his entourage during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Dutsen-kura, Minna.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the Police for their prompt response to distress calls and security requests, as well as their continued support in maintaining safety within and around the university environment.
Professor Kuta said the institution, which is approaching its 44th anniversary, has a growing population of about 40,000 students from different parts of the country, making sustained collaboration with the Police necessary to ensure the safety of students, staff and university facilities.
He disclosed that the university had recently commenced medical programmes and sought the support of the Police Command in providing opportunities for students to undertake practical training where necessary.
The Vice-Chancellor also praised the commitment and visibility of police patrol teams around the institution, while requesting sustained and increased deployment to address security challenges associated with its growing population.
Responding, CP Elleman described the university’s requests as part of the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the institution.
He assured the Vice-Chancellor of improved collaboration, sustained police presence and enhanced patrols around the university, particularly at night, to protect students engaged in legitimate academic activities and prevent criminal activities.
The Commissioner urged the university management to promptly report security concerns to the Police, assuring them of the Command’s readiness to respond appropriately.
He further assured the delegation that all the requests presented would receive adequate attention, while expressing appreciation for the visit and reaffirming the Command’s commitment to maintaining a cordial and productive relationship with the university management.
Law & Crime
Suspected cultists kill rival member in Bayelsa, hid his mutilated corpse in a sack
By David Owei,Bayelsa
There was a sense of horror in Yenagoa, the Bayelsà following the suspected cultists killing of a rival and his his mutilated corpse in a sack.
The sack containing the mutilated body of the victim, according to sources, was dropped in front of the FCMB bank located at Obele junction in the outskirts of the State capital.
The incident according to sources occured on Monday night and the Corpse was discovered on Tuesday Morning.
The killing of the deceased has again threatened the peace recorded under the present leadership of the Police led by Commissioner Ajao Saka Adewale.
Investigation by our correspondent gathered that the deceased, whose identity is yet to be known, was reported to have defected from the notorious cult group, Greenlanders to rival notorious group known as Bobos.
And was accused to have led members of his new group on a “proof of loyalty,” to allegedly attack and kill a member of his former group at the back of Amarata.
It was gathered that suspected members of the Greenlanders were allegedly provoked and reportedly lures him out with a woman and death him several deadly matchet cuts.
Some Residents of the Obele area confirmed to newsmen that the Corpse of the deceased was kept carefully in a sack soaked in blood and left by the FCMB bank.
Concerned Youths and vigilante group contacted the police and the sack was evacuated.
In the last three days after the discovery of the bagged corpse, residents of the Sand Road, Aritalin, GweGwe and Obele streets have been thrown into restless nights due to the activities of the rival cult groups searching for one another.
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