By Our Correspondent

Unhappy with the observation of state of security in the war-thorn communities in the state,State government has reviewed the curfew earlier imposed on Amassiri Autonomous Community to run from 6.00pm to 7.00am daily.

Governor Francis Nwifuru said that after careful deliberation and consideration of ongoing investigations, as well as progress made by security agencies, the Council deemed it necessary to adjust the curfew.

The Governor made this known while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the state security council meeting held in his office, government House, Ceninary city, Abakaliki.

He said that the Council deliberated on key measures required to restore total normalcy to Okorojo and Amasiri Atromus communities and resolved that urgent steps must be taken to demonstrate government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

Nwifuru disclosed that the Council further agreed that all persons arrested in connection with the crisis between the affected communities should be charged to court without delay, rather than remaining in police custody.

He also emphasized the need to recover the remains of those killed during the violence, noting that additional measures would be put in place to achieve this.

“The Ebonyi State Security Council met on February 17, 2026, at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Abakaliki.

“At the meeting, the Council reviewed the curfew earlier imposed on Amassiri Autonomous Community. After careful deliberation and consideration of ongoing investigations, as well as progress made by security agencies, the Council adjusted the curfew to run from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.

“The Council deliberated on key measures required to restore total normalcy to Asri Okorojo and Aqua Atromus communities. It resolved that urgent steps must be taken to demonstrate government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

“The Council further agreed that all persons arrested in connection with the crisis between the affected communities should be charged to court without delay, rather than remaining in police custody.
It also emphasized the need to recover the remains of those killed during the violence, noting that additional measures would be put in place to achieve this

Responding to questions from journalists, the governor said that the Council noted that many arrests have been made in connection with the crisis resulting to relative peace in the area, but that under the law, every suspect remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of law

On the closure of schools, he explained that reopening was not discussed during the meeting, but that schools in the affected communities will remain closed pending further review at the next Council meeting.

He maintained that the curfew and other measures were imposed strictly to maintain law and order and to protect lives and property.

He assured the public that arrests and investigations are ongoing and pledged that all those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The governor expressed confidence that the measures being implemented will restore lasting peace to the affected

By Our Correspondent

Senate at emergency plenary on Tuesday condemned in very strong terms, the killing of 56 persons, abduction of women and children in Konkoso Village, Niger State, describing the attack as brutal and unacceptable.

It would be recalled that terrorists on 14th February attacked communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing many people and abducting several others, while setting multiple houses ablaze, including a police station.

The Red Chamber has called for the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to the affected local government areas to strengthen rapid response and prevent further attacks.
It also mandated its Committees on Defense, Army, Air Force, Police Affairs, and National Security to conduct a joint assessment and report back within four weeks.

The Senate observed a minute of silence for the victims and extended condolences to bereaved families, as well as the government and people of Niger State.

These resolutions of the Senate on Tuesday were sequel to a motion of urgent national importance moved by Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East.

The assailants reportedly moved to Paso on Saturday after encountering little resistance from security forces, burning more houses and a police station.

Senator Musa had in his motion told his colleagues that more than 56 citizens were killed in Konkoso and nearby Pissa villages, while several women and children were abducted.

According to him, the affected communities share boundaries with strategic forests linking neighboring states, creating corridors exploited by terrorists for cross-border movements and coordinated criminal operations.

Musa warned that the North Central region has witnessed rising attacks on rural communities and farmlands, threatening food security, local economies, and broader national stability.

Senator Musa commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for sustained counterterrorism efforts, acknowledging sacrifices made by troops confronting violent extremism across the country.

However, the Senator expressed concern that repeated assaults on remote communities reveal gaps in intelligence gathering, coordination, rapid response capabilities, and sustained territorial security presence.

He added that the abduction of women and children has deepened the humanitarian crisis, inflicting lasting psychological trauma on families and destabilising affected communities.

Musa stressed that without structural reforms and modernisation of Nigeria’s security framework, similar tragedies could persist despite ongoing military and intelligence operations nationwide.

Seconding the motion, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Monguno, APC, Borno North called for increased budget allocation to security agencies to tackle insecurity.

He said, “In the course of the ongoing budget defense, we discovered that there were zero capital budget releases to security agencies.

“So in line with the President’s declaration of state of emergency on security, prominence should be given to security agencies.”

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Authorities of the Bayelsà State Police Command has identified the corpse of the 30 years old man beheaded on Monday along Yenigwe area of Igbogene community in Yenagoa Local Government area of the State.

According to the Police, the beheaded man is Ebi Doudou also known as ” Npotor(Nois) and he is a native of Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

The police also identified that the deceased is a member of the a rival cult group known Greenlanders and was attacked and beheaded by suspected member of the Bobos cult group.

Already, the State Police Commissioner, CP Daniel Iyamah Edobor has ordered an immediate manhunt for the killers.

The Police commissioner has detailed the Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo to launch an immediate investigation into the incident and bring those involved to book.

Our correspondent gathered that though the police is yet to conduct an autopsy on the corpse of the deceased, a close check on Monday night showed that the deceased was beheaded and his testicle and penis were also severed.

The Head, the penis and testicles were severed and taken away.

Relatives of the deceased are calling on the investigating team, the Operation Puff Adder, to urgently assist the family and the Ammossoma community to apprehend those behind the cult killing.

They urged the team to set aside the recent attacks and false claims against the Police outfit and the State Police Command.

Senior police sources however assured our correspondent that the investigation team of the Police have already zero in on some key suspects including a notorious Cultist who resides in Swali community.

According to the source, intelligence gathered showed that the killing and the beheading of Ebi Doudou at Yenegwe was a protest against an existing peace accord initiated by the Police led by Commissioner Daniel Iyamah.

It was gathered that upon resumption, CP Daniel Iyamah was confronted with two cult killings in December,2025 and January,2026, he immediately summoned known cult leaders and warned against disorderly conduct and demanded that those behind the killings to be handed to the police.

The peace accord and charge from police Commissioner, according to sources was not welcomed by some known deviants among the groups including one of the identified suspects based in Swali Community

According to the Police, this key suspects is already on the wanted list of the Operation Puff Adder over the alleged discovery of two pump action guns found in his home during a tactical raid last year.

He was alleged to have always detail another dissident zonal cult leader of the Bobos group to always disobey the peace accord and hit any rival group found in his domain.

The source claimed that Ebi Doudou was one of the first victim of the attack, as he was visiting Etegwe when he was rounded up by members of the Bobos and beheaded in a gory manner.