Crime
Tinubu appoints Atom Kpera, Other Former Govs to end Benue killings
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday set up a committee to help restore sustainable peace to Benue State following last Friday’s massacre in Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, which saw around 200 people killed.
Members of the peace committee selected by the President include former Military Governor of Benue State, Gen Atom Kpera (retd.), Senator George Akume, Senator Gabriel Suswam and Samuel Ortom — all former Benue governors.
The Paramount Ruler of Tiv Nation and Chairman, Traditional Council, Benue State, HRM Prof. James Ayatse and Paramount Ruler of Idomaland, the Ochidoma, HRM Dr John Elaigwu, are also on the team.
Advising the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on the importance of stakeholder management for peaceful and progressive governance, Tinubu urged the governor to champion the activities of the peace committee, which also includes federal officials, and non-indigenes living in the state.
“Let us meet again in Abuja. Let’s fashion out a framework for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace. I assure you, we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy into prosperity,” the President told Alia at a town hall meeting at the Benue State Government House banquet hall in Makurdi, the capital city.
The meeting included the Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume, traditional rulers and former governors of the state. The governors of Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa also attended the meeting.
Tinubu stated that the peace effort would yield sustainable results only if it were broad-based and collaborative, calling for synergy with neighbouring Nasarawa State, whose governor, Abdullahi Sule, was also present at the meeting.
“I want the traditional rulers — the Tor Tiv, the Och’Idoma and others to be included in this peace committee.
“The Governor of Nasarawa is here and the Governor of Benue is here, let’s create that synergy for peace, development, and prosperity.
“We’re here to govern, not to bury. We’re here to raise families, not to lose some,” he said.
The President called on the people of Benue to support Governor Alia, urging communities to embrace peace and inclusion.
“This is a very critical time. The governor needs your help. Let’s have a committee with non-indigenes incorporated.”
He assured the state of the Federal Government’s backing and his personal resolve to end the cycle of bloodshed, saying, “I give you the assurance that we will find peace, we will convert this tragedy to prosperity again and again.”
Suspected armed herders stormed Yelewata village in Guma LGA of Benue State late Friday, June 13, unleashing one of the deadliest assaults the state has seen in years.
Amnesty International and local official reports say that at least 100 residents were killed, dozens remain missing, and hundreds are nursing gunshot and burn wounds after attackers set houses ablaze through the early hours of Saturday.
The Police confirmed the raid, with some sources putting the casualty figure at around 200. Many victims were internally displaced people who had taken refuge in the village after earlier attacks.
The Benue State government said it has launched a manhunt, but residents fear more reprisals as the rainy season, peak period for disputed grazing and planting, sets in.
Pope Francis prayed for the “terrible massacre” during his Sunday Angelus.
It is the latest cycle of violence linked to farmer-herder tensions, banditry and a security vacuum that rights groups say allows perpetrators to act with “utter impunity.”
At Wednesday’s town hall meeting, Tinubu directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to immediately arrest those who perpetrated the heinous killings.
“I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals. Let’s get those criminals,” Tinubu told the IGP.
While thanking the military high command for their response so far, the President expressed dissatisfaction at the lack of arrests days after the mass slaughter.
“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals.
“Christopher (Chief of Defence Staff), thank you very much. I watched your comments. I know you can’t be tired of staying in the bush, including Oluyede (Chief of Army Staff) and the Air Marshal.
“Thanks to all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out,” he said.
Tinubu also charged the heads of intelligence agencies to improve their surveillance and response systems.
“DG NIA and DG DSS, retool your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence that this will not occur again,” the President said.
He urged Governor Alia to allocate land for ranching and directed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to follow up.
He called for blood donations to support those receiving treatment at the Benue State Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where he had earlier visited victims and medical staff.
While underscoring the importance of peace for sustainable development, President Tinubu implored the Governor to ensure Benue was peaceful, adding that the circumstances of his visit this time should not have been a reason to visit.
“I wanted to come here to commission projects, to reassure you of hope and prosperity, not to see gloomy faces. But peace is vital to development,” he said.
“The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people.
“Governor Alia, you were elected under the progressive banner to ensure peace, stability, and progress. You are not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans. We will work with you to achieve that peace. You must also work with us.
“Not everyone will like you in politics. They hate me, too — like hell. But here I am, still your President. I made a promise to protect democracy, freedom, and prosperity, even for my abusers and accusers. That’s leadership.”
Alia’s plea
In his remarks, Governor Alia appealed to the Federal Government to establish a Special Intervention Fund for communities affected by repeated violent attacks across Benue State.
“Your Excellency, while we continue to mourn our losses and rebuild from the ashes of pain, we humbly urge the Federal Government to consider establishing a special intervention fund for communities affected by these incessant attacks in Benue State,” he said.
Governor Alia said the fund would support the rehabilitation of displaced persons, reconstruction of destroyed homes and infrastructure, and the restoration of livelihoods, especially for farmers.
He reiterated his support for establishing state police as a lasting solution to insecurity, while pledging his administration’s full commitment to building a safe, stable, prosperous Benue State.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, praised President Tinubu for being the first sitting President to personally visit victims in the hospital in the wake of such a tragedy.
On the recurring spate of insecurity in the state, the monarch took time to address misinformation and mischaracterisation, saying that land grabbing was at the core of the decades-long conflict.
“Your Excellency, it is not herder-farmer clashes. It is not communal clashes. It is not reprisal attacks or skirmishes.
“What we are dealing with here in Benue is a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits,” the monarch told Tinubu.
He cautioned that mischaracterising the crisis had led to inadequate responses and accused some political actors of exploiting the situation for selfish gains.
“Politicians in the state are busy politicising the crisis, passing blames instead of joining hands to address the crisis. We hear that some politicians would even prefer that the crisis worsen, so it would serve as a basis for declaring a state of emergency.
“This is unfortunate. Any politician who prays for more people to die for such a project is working against the wishes of the people of Benue State,” he said.
He therefore appealed to President Tinubu to restore peace to the state and every part of Nigeria.
“All we ask of you, sir, is to stop our weeping. Give us peace in Benue State, so our people, primarily farmers, can return to their farms and continue to produce food for Nigeria.
“I heard a story about a challenge in a place in Kwara State, and you rose and gave them peace in Kaiama. You can do that for Benue.”
Killings condemned
Meanwhile, the Northern Elders Forum on Wednesday strongly condemned what it described as the persistent wave of killings and violence engulfing Benue State.
It described the situation as “genocide” and a direct consequence of government inaction, political complicity, and systemic collapse.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jiddere, the forum stated, “The situation has degenerated into unrestrained bloodshed and lawlessness, turning communities into killing fields and exposing the utter collapse of governance, accountability, and security.
“Benue State, one of Nigeria’s critical agricultural hubs, plays a vital role in national food production, youth and women’s employment, and economic stability. Today, this once-thriving state is under siege.
“The lives of its innocent citizens are being violently cut short, and its socio-economic structure is being systematically destroyed, while the government stands by in silence, helplessness, or worse, complicity.”
It added, “In Guma and Logo local government areas, another 200 lives were wiped out. Thousands have been displaced into squalid, unsafe IDP camps with no access to healthcare, clean water, or basic necessities.
“Medical services are overstretched and collapsing. Women, children, and the elderly are dying in silence while the government looks away.
“Let it be clearly stated: this is not an ethnic conflict, as it is deceptively portrayed. It is an internal political crisis, one that has been allowed to fester due to criminal negligence, partisan interests, and a complete failure of leadership.”
Also, a religious group, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, expressed concern over the recent spate of violence in Benue State, calling on authorities to strengthen efforts to restore peace and protect lives.
In a statement on Wednesday by its convener, James Adama, the group appealed to young people in the state to remain vigilant and play a role in safeguarding their communities, while urging leaders at all levels to take decisive steps toward enhancing security.
The group said, “The systematic extermination of innocent civilians has reached a level that words cannot adequately describe.
“The suffering of the Benue people is a tragic reminder of our collective failure to protect them from those who seek to continue the rain of violence and chaos.
“We mourn with the families who have lost loved ones and call for urgent action to ensure peace and stability return to the affected areas.
“We stand in solidarity with you and are committed to working together to ensure that justice is served and that the perpetrators of these heinous acts are held accountable for their actions.”
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Violent Crime Response Unit of the Anambra State Police Command has uncovered and destroyed an armoury belonging to suspected separatist gunmen at Owerre-Ezukala in Orumba South Local Government Area.
The operation, led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Orebe Chidubem Matthew, followed intelligence obtained from a member of the gang currently in police custody.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police disclosed that the camp had previously been dislodged by a Joint Task Force on security operations. However, some members of the gang who escaped during the earlier raid reportedly regrouped and attempted to resume operations.
According to the statement, items recovered from the armoury include one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) with about 2,000 rounds of live chain ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers with 25 propellers, 10 locally-made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), one locally-made Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns, three hand grenades, 10 rounds of K2 live ammunition, one gas cylinder, and one black Ecolac box.
“Recall that the camp was earlier destroyed by a Joint Security Team. Before the confession by the suspect in custody, intelligence had been received over time on how some escaped gang members were attempting to regroup. However, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit resisted and dismantled the camp following a gun duel with the unrepentant members,” the statement read.
The police further stated that some of the armed suspects fled the scene with varying degrees of bullet injuries sustained during the exchange of gunfire.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect in custody confessed to involvement in several violent attacks across Anambra State, including attacks on police facilities, the killing of security personnel comprising police, military, and civil defence officers, attacks on government facilities, and the murder of security operatives on stop-and-search duties on various roads in the state.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, noted that with the establishment of the Violent Crime Response Unit, operatives of the command are now better positioned and more motivated to sustain offensive operations against criminal elements threatening the peace and security of the state.
The Enugu State House of Assembly has ordered the immediate suspension of the salary of Dr. Kate Okolo, a staff member of the Enugu State College of Education, over her alleged involvement in a controversial land deal.
The directive was issued on Tuesday in Enugu by the Chairman of the House Special Committee on Land Conflicts, Mr. Okey Mbah, as part of an ongoing investigation into a decade-long land fraud.
Mbah emphasized that the suspension is not a witch-hunt but a clear signal that the era of impunity in land administration in the state is over.
The committee, currently probing petitions from staff of the institution and members of the public, accused key figures in the Women in College of Education Organisation (WICE) of engaging in land racketeering and fraudulent sales.
According to petitioners, the scheme—introduced between 2009 and 2011 under the leadership of the late Mrs. Ugoma Ndubisi and Dr. Okolo—encouraged individuals to market plots of land known as “WICE Land” to colleagues, friends, and family members.
One victim, who pleaded anonymity, told lawmakers they invested in the scheme because it was presented as a credible internal arrangement.
“We paid in full and have receipts, but for over 13 years, we have not been allocated any land,” the petitioner said.
Testimonies further revealed that the situation worsened following the death of Mrs. Ndubisi, with allegations that Dr. Okolo altered the original terms of the transactions.
“She changed the name from Ukano to Ukano Bold, increased the prices, reduced plot sizes, and claimed that many of us did not pay.
“We are now being asked to pay again for land we already purchased.
“All we want is either our land or our money back,” another petitioner stated.
In response, Mbah assured the petitioners that the Assembly remains committed to ensuring justice.
“We have listened to your grievances, and this committee will see this matter through to a logical conclusion.
“No one found culpable will be shielded,” he said.
A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abdulsamad Jamiu, has died after being struck by a stray bullet during a gun battle between troops of the Nigerian Army and fleeing armed robbers in Shagari Estate, Dei-Dei, Abuja.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of April 25, 2026, when troops of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Group, on routine night patrol, responded to a distress call over an armed robbery attack in the area.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Sunday, Lieutenant Olawuyi Odunola, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Guards Brigade, said the troops came under gunfire immediately upon arrival, leading to a brief but intense exchange with the suspected robbers.
According to the Army, the corps member was caught in the crossfire during the operation and later died from injuries sustained.
“Headquarters Guards Brigade regrets the tragic loss of Mr Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, during a security incident in the early hours of 25 April 2026 at Shagari Estate, Dei-Dei, Abuja,” the statement read.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when troops of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Group, on routine night patrol, responded to a distress call following an armed robbery attack in the area. Upon arrival, the troops came under gunfire from the fleeing armed robbers, resulting in a brief but intense exchange.”
The Army explained that despite efforts by the soldiers to secure the area and protect residents, Jamiu sadly succumbed after being hit during the confrontation.
“In the course of the engagement, Mr Jamiu was caught in the crossfire. Despite the efforts of troops to secure the area and preserve lives, he sadly succumbed to his injuries.
“This heartbreaking loss has cast a deep shadow over all personnel of the Guards Brigade,” the statement added.
Military authorities said preliminary findings indicated the situation was highly volatile as troops moved swiftly to repel the attackers and protect residents of the community.
The Commander of the Guards Brigade, alongside officers and soldiers, extended condolences to the deceased’s family, the NYSC, and others affected by the tragedy.
“The Commander, Guards Brigade, officers and soldiers extend their deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the National Youth Service Corps, and all who are affected by this painful loss. We share in their grief and stand in solidarity with them during this moment of profound sorrow,” the Army stated.
The Brigade also disclosed that a full investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, promising transparency and accountability.
“The Brigade has since initiated a thorough investigation to fully ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. We remain committed to transparency and accountability. The findings will be made available in due course,” it added.
The remains of the deceased have been handed over to appropriate civil authorities and deposited at Kubwa General Hospital.
The Guards Brigade reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory, stating it would continue reviewing its operational procedures to enhance civilian safety while combating criminal elements.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Concerned citizens of Awka, Anambra State, have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, over what they described as alleged arbitrary police interference in a decades-long land dispute involving Chief Kenneth Afamefuna Ezekwesili of Umuike village, Awka.
In the petition, signed by Sunday Ezebunamadu on behalf of the group and addressed to the IGP in Abuja, the residents called on the police leadership to urgently investigate what they termed an “abuse of police powers” in relation to the dispute over Obuagu land, also known as “Egbeana-Obibia Land.”
“We, the concerned citizens of Awka in Anambra State, respectfully bring to your attention a matter of grave concern involving alleged abuse of police powers and arbitrary interference in a long-standing land dispute,” the petition read.
According to the petitioners, the disputed land has been a source of contention between the Obuagu Awka and Umuomamu Ifite Nibo communities since 1974.
They maintained that the matter had already been decided at both the High Court in Awka and the Court of Appeal in Enugu, with judgments reportedly in favour of Obuagu Awka, while the case is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
Despite these judicial outcomes, the group alleged continued police involvement in the matter.
Chief Ezekwesili, as quoted in the petition, claimed he was arrested in February 2026 while accessing the land under what he described as a court-authorised entry.
He further alleged subsequent arrests and an ongoing prosecution before a Magistrate Court in Awka in Suit No. MAW/43C/2026, which he said is still pending.
The petitioners expressed concern over what they described as the repeated use of the phrase “conduct likely to cause communal war” as justification for arrests in a matter already before competent courts.
They also raised concerns over the alleged sale of portions of the disputed land while litigation is ongoing, as well as claims of possible “pecuniary interest influencing police conduct.”
“If these allegations are true, they represent a serious deviation from the constitutional role of the police, which is to maintain peace and not to adjudicate land ownership disputes,” the petition stated.
The group, therefore, urged the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the conduct of the officers involved, ensure neutrality in all land disputes before the courts, and halt any further arrests connected to the matter.
They also called on the police leadership to reaffirm clear directives prohibiting interference in civil land disputes, except where there is a genuine breach of peace.
“The people of Awka believe strongly in the rule of law. Allowing court decisions to stand without unlawful interference is essential to maintaining public trust in law enforcement and the justice system,” the petition added.
However, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Unit of the command stated that it was not aware of the crisis and that no petition had been made available to it.
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has released four policemen and a developer, Abiodun Ariori, who were accused of killing six traders in Owode Onirin, in the Kosofe area of the state.
The suspects were freed after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advice indicating that the cops acted in self-defence.
In the legal advice, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, and obtained exclusively by Saturday PUNCH on Friday, the DPP blamed investigators for not providing evidence that could sustain charges of manslaughter.
The victims were shot dead by the policemen, identified as Musa Bala, Ahmed Abass, Ibrahim Kasimu and Ibrahim Garba.
The cops were brought from Nasarawa by Ariori to enforce an alleged court order which gave the rights to the land occupied by the traders to a Lagos family.
Ariori was said to be the family’s agent.
In the course of the enforcement, chaos broke out, and the six traders were shot dead.
The victims were identified as Adeoye Taiwo, Akinloye Seyi, Wale Adebayo, Abraham Idowu, Dare Salaudeen and Adeoye Akeem.
The policemen and the Ariori were then arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lagos State.
However, the matter was transferred to Abuja.
The cops were freed and Ariori granted bail.
It was learnt that after the protests, charges were filed against the suspects.
However, the DPP, in its legal advice dated Tuesday, March 3, said there was no prima facie evidence to justify their prosecution.
According to the Director, Martins, the four police officers were attacked by a mob with weapons during the incident.
Martins noted that one of the officers was injured and dispossessed of his rifle.
He further stated that Ariori was not present at the scene when the incident occurred.
On possible manslaughter charges, the DPP said the police failed to provide forensic evidence necessary to establish the cause of death and link any of the suspects to the killings.
He said there was no autopsy report on the deceased, no ballistic analysis of bullets recovered, and no examination report on the rifles issued to the officers.
“From the available facts in the file, there is no positive evidence to prove that the suspects are responsible for the death of the deceased persons.
“Therefore, this office shall not prosecute Inspr Musa Bala, Inspr Ahmed Abass, Cpl Ibrahim Kasimu, Cpl Ibrahim Garba and Abiodun Akeem Ariori for the offences of felony and involuntary manslaughter contrary to sections 411 and 224 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015 and any charge against them is hereby withdrawn,” Martins stated.
But the police said there was enough evidence to prosecute the suspects.
A letter, dated March 5, 2026, from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, and addressed to the DPP, stated that the police attached relevant evidence to the case file.
The letter was signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin.
According to Akinbisehin, autopsy reports from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and ballistic examination findings from the Force Criminal Investigation Department indicated that the suspects were responsible for the death of the traders.
According to the letter, the findings showed that “all the suspects are culpable” and the state had a strong case capable of standing trial.
The deputy police commissioner urged the DPP to review the legal advice and allow the prosecution of the suspects.
“It is evidently clear from the findings in the painstaking investigation carried out by the police that all the suspects, namely: Inspr Manu Bala, Inspr Ahmed Abass, Cpl Ibrahim Kasimu, Cpl Ibrahim Garba and one Abiodun Akeem Ariori, are all culpable and that the state has a good case that can stand the test of trial against them.
“However, the earlier report from the DPP has been taken cognisance of, but the emerging reality from the evidence from the autopsy report and ballistic examination report attached are strong enough for the DPP to take a second look at the advice and allow all the suspects to be prosecuted so that they can indeed have their days in court.
“This will go a long way in entrenching sanctity of the law in the overall interest of justice, public safety, public order and protection of lives and property for which the Nigeria Police is constitutionally charged alongside other enabling laws of the country,” he said.
Reacting to the matter, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, insisted that the case was far from concluded.
Falana, a human rights activist and lawyer to the traders, said his legal team would furnish the required information to the DPP to ensure a full and fair assessment of the case.
He added that a civil suit would also be filed to seek compensation for the families of the deceased.
“I have just been informed that they were freed on the legal advice of the Lagos State Director of Public due to the fact that certain information was not provided. We are going to avail the DPP of the required information.
“The matter of the illegal killing of the six unarmed traders will be pursued to a logical conclusion in the interest of justice. In addition, we are going to file a civil case for adequate compensation on behalf of the families of the deceased,” Falana said.
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