Seven Armed Fulani Herders Arraigned In Benue

Seven armed Fulani Herders have been arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court, Makurdi for Criminal Conspiracy, Kidnapping, Open Grazing, Rape and Acts of Terrorism. According to the available information,the herders hail from Doma Local Government of Nasarawa State, NIGERIA.

The headers have been remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre Makurdi and case adjourned to 11th June,2025.

Alia's Speech On Terrorist Attacks In Benue And The Misconceptions: A Call For Drastic Action Against Terrorists

... Tinubu, Akume, Ortom in perspective 

By Terfa Naswem

The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025 said that the perpetrators of the recent wave of killings across the state are not Nigerians, stating that they speak unfamiliar languages and exhibit foreign characteristics.

Governor Alia disclosed this on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025 while speaking as a guest on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television in the wake of assaults on the North-Central state that have left scores killed and many displaced.

After the interview, there were some comments and speeches against Alia for not calling the killers "Fulani herdsmen" and for claiming they are foreign terrorists. Others accused him for calling them "Armed herders" instead of calling them "Fulani herdsmen" on Arise News.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces has never in any of his speeches called the killers 'Fulani' on national Tv or published in any national daily. He calls them bandits, attackers or killers.

The President, who met with security chiefs at the State House in Abuja for more than two hours as reported on Wednesday, 23rd April, 2025 by Channel TV said the killing of innocent people in Borno, Benue and Plateau States must cease but never called the killers "Fulani herdsmen".

The Nation of 22nd April, 2025 reported that President Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Benue State following the recent deadly attacks in Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas, which claimed over 72 lives.

Delivering the president’s message in Makurdi on Tuesday, 22nd April , 2025, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said Tinubu stands firmly with the state during this difficult time but never called the attackers 'Fulani herdsmen'.

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), on Wednesday, called on President Bola Tinubu to fully assume his constitutional role as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces by taking decisive action against bandits and terrorists responsible for the ongoing bloodshed across the country.

PFN described the incessant attacks and loss of hundreds of lives as intolerable and urged the government to act with urgency and resolve. This was published in The Guardian of 23rd April, 2025. The PFN called the killers bandits and terrorists. The religious body also acknowledged the fact that President Tinubu is the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and has the wherewithal to curb insecurity in Nigeria since the powers of governors in fighting terrorism is limited in spite of the security votes they receive.

Supporters of Tinubu have never accused him of not calling the killers "Fulani herdsmen" in all his speeches regarding the killings in Benue State but blamed Gov Alia for not addressing the killers in Benue as "Fulani herdsmen" which is ethnic profiling.

Tinubu understands that dangers of attributing such attacks to an ethnic group even when there are glaring evidences of such. Tinubu receives credible intelligence on the insecurity in Nigeria and knows those involved and what to do. The question is not whether he knows what is going on or he is capable but whether he has the political will to do the needful irrespective of whose ox is gored.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dist. Sen. Dr. George Akume is a prominent son of the Tiv nation and Benue State, and the Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in North Central. Since the attacks began on Benue State under the administration of Alia, he has never outrightly spoken against the attacks or blamed Fulani herdsmen for being responsible. 

Akume knows the implications of coming on national TV and calling the attackers "Fulani herdsmen" which is considered as ethnic profiling even when evidence show that they are actually the ones doing so. The day he does that, he will lose his position as the SGF. Whether people are ignorant of the truth or choose not to accept the truth they know, Fulani oligarchy controls Nigeria and politicians dealing with issues associated with them are always extremely careful. 

In Daily Post of 29th October, 2019 with the headline: "Benue: Buhari's Minister Akume accused of 'Fulani agenda'", the Jemgbagh Youth Alliance, JYA accused Akume for not being outspoken on issues concerning Fulani herdsmen.

They said, “After insulting Tiv people and accusing them of killing themselves, Akume went to President Buhari and sought to be made minister. He should hide his face in shame. This same man assembled social media boys at his kilometre 4 house on Gboko road last year and instigated them to blame Tiv people for killing themselves and not Fulanis"

Akume was actually not wrong when he said Tiv people were killing themselves because at that time when he said so on 6th February, 2019 during the presidential campaign of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Benue State at Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, there were Tiv militia groups that were already fighting each other and killings innocent lives to exhibit supremacy while there were also some Tiv collaborators with armed herders who were attacking Benue State during the administration of Samuel Ortom and there were irrefutable evidences of such people and attacks.

This ethic profiling of the Tiv people as killing themselves cost Akume his senatorial election. Ortom, his cohorts and his media boys embarked on a campaign of calumny and read Akume's speech out of context. Most traditional rulers from Jemgbagh comprising of Gboko, Tarka and Buruku who were actually not supposed to be partisan united including others to ensure that Akume didn't win his senatorial election.

Even the ministerial appointment Akume was given, he faced stift resistance from Ortom and other prominent Tiv sons who did whatever they could even beyond their abilities for that appointment not to be given to Akume so that they'll finally 'bury him politically' like they said. Unfortunately, Tinubu stood by Akume for the appointment and throughout the administration of Buhari.

 

Since Akume was governor of Benue State from 1999 to 2007. He never went on national Tv or print media to say Fulani herdsmen were responsible for some of the attacks experienced during his administration before they started becoming worse from the administration of Gabriel Torwua Suswam from 2007 till date.

Even from when he became a senate to when he became a minister in the second term of former President Muhammadu Buhari, he never went on national Tv or print media to call the killers 'Fulani'.

Those supporters of Akume who are criticizing Alia for not ethnic-profiling the killers as Fulani herdsmen have never criticized Akume who throughout his political career has never mentioned the attackers of Benue State as Fulani herdsmen. He only called them Armed herders, bandits, attackers or killers. These supporters have exhibited chronic hypocrisy to the most unimaginable level and playing politics with the lives of innocent people of Benue State.

The misconceptions about the speech of Gov. Alia on national Tv by those who are not embroidered in hypocrisy is well understood. Alia not profiling Fulani herdsmen and calling the killers foreign terrorists on national Tv is a powerful call for drastic action against terrorism from the federal government and the international community. His speech means that anyone killing people in Benue State should be faced as a foreign terrorist which there should be no sympathy or dealing with them with kid gloves since he didn't associate such attacks with any ethnic group in Nigeria.

Besides, mentioning Fulani herdsmen on national Tv as being responsible for the attacks in Benue State would even make a bad situation worse because those who would have helped in fighting the bad ones amongst them will do nothing or even join them to inflict more pains on Benue State.

Gov. Alia made it clear in his interview on TVC News on Thursday, 24th April, 2025  that his role was not to profile ethnicities but to put in place policies and ideologies that will guarantee peace and stability in the state. "It is not good to profile ethnicities", he submitted. 

One thing our people need to understand is that reliance on ethnic profiling will not improve the security of the state. If profiling a particular ethnicity would solve the problem, former Governor Samuel Ortom could have ended it long ago.

The killings in Benue State have taken a different dimension and Tinubu, Akume, Ortom and all prominent Benue sons and daughters must unite and support Alia against this common enemy or we might all end up being consumed.

Celebrating Leadership In The Journey Towards A Better Nigeria

Hon. Sule Yakubu Andenati, Senior Special Adviser to the Senate President, shares a moment of camaraderie with his boss, the Senate President.

It's no more a promise that there is hope for the common man. The secret of a child who is not scared of insecurities is the company/friends of his father.

Meet the man who's an answer to expectations, Hon. Sule Yakubu Andenati. He stands as a beacon of hope, tirelessly working to pave  way for a better tomorrow. His journey from grassroots movements to national politics showcases his strength, resilience, and determination. He is not just a leader; he is a game changer. His vision for the nation is clear, and his inspiring leadership style motivates numerous individuals.

Supporting and assisting the No. 003 citizen (Senate President) in discharging his official duties speaks volumes.

✍️ MEDIA AIDES 

#Leadership #Nigeria #Progress #TarabaState #Impact

Yakubu Commissions Ogboji's Mikkyland Hotel And Suites, Says More Doors Will Open

... Ogbogo, Chama, Nyor others grace the occasion 

By Terfa Naswem 

Senior Special Adviser to the Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Special Duties and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), Hon. Dr. Sule Yakubu on Saturday, 19th April, 2025 commissioned Mikkyland Hotel and suites in Makurdi, Benue State.

He commanded the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mikkyland Hotel and suites, Engr. Michael Ogboji for his penchant for job creation and economic development which motivated him to establish such a wonderful business irrespective of whether the prospects of making enormous profit favour him or not.

"What you have done today is a sign that more doors of progress in business will be open for you. You will continue to grow in your business exploration and the Almighty God who rewards hardwork will never forsake you ", he said.

In his speech, the CEO, Ogboji extolled Yakubu as a man of his words who is pertinacious in achieving set goals and has the alacrity to work with progressive-minded people who uphold the principles of love, peace and harmony.

He commanded him for honouring his invitation to commission his hotel in spite of his extremely tight schedule. "This show of love will never be forgotten", he said.

Ogboji commanded his friends, family and specially his wife for standing by him before and throughout the period he embarked on the hotel project which has been completed and commissioned for commercial services.

He was extremely grateful to all those who attended the occasion and prayed God to continue to bless them for their prayers for him to succeed in his business adventures.

The occasion was attended by Special guests such as Engr. Japheth Terlumum Igbogo, Chama Bitrus, Dr. Jude Teryima Nyor, former Senior Legislative Aide to Hon. Herman Iorwase  Hembe; Christian Alozie, Arome Samson Agbolo, Paul Okwoli, Ybits Okefa amongst others.

Mikkyland Hotel and suites is located at Plot 112, Ankpa Quarters Extension, Naka Road, Makurdi, Benue State. 

For enquiries or reservations, call: 09019403273, 07035154410.

Standing With The Governor: Setting The Record Straight On Security In Benue State

In recent times, there has been a disturbing and deliberate attempt by certain political actors—most notably led by the Abuja based politician and his Abuja-based loyalists—to paint the hardworking Governor of Benue State in bad light, particularly over the persistent security challenges caused by herders’ attacks on our people.

These orchestrated narratives are not only disingenuous but a disservice to the truth and to the people of Benue who live daily with the realities of displacement, fear, and insecurity.

Let it be made clear: the governor has shown unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and properties in Benue State. From pushing for community-based security strategies to consistently advocating for federal intervention, he has stood with the people—not from the safety of distant offices in Abuja, but on the ground, where the pain is real and immediate.

To weaponize the suffering of Benue citizens for political vendetta is not only insensitive, it is deeply unpatriotic. Instead of standing in solidarity with the State Government to demand a more proactive federal response, some have chosen to play politics with people’s lives.

We remind the Abuja politician and his cohorts that true leadership is not about playing blame games from afar, but about building unity, truth, and genuine partnership in times of crisis.

Now, more than ever, the Governor needs the support of all well-meaning sons and daughters of Benue, both at home and in the diaspora. This is a time to rally around leadership, not undermine it.

Let us reject divisive politics and affirm our support for a Governor who, despite limited resources and overwhelming challenges, continues to speak truth to power and stand with his people.

Benue will not be distracted. We stand with the Governor.

GOV. ALIA'S STRATEGIC MEDIA TEAM

How Olukayode Olusanya, CEO, Oak Homes Defrauded US Based Client - Police Witness

Case adjourned to July 8

By Dansu Peter 

Justice Musa Kakaki of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has been told how a businessman, Mr Olukayode Olusanya, CEO, Oak Homes Limited defrauded a US based client, Anthony Ugbebor, an Engineer. 

In the police charge sheet before the court, Olusanya was said to have defrauded Ugbebor to the tune of N125m

His trial over an alleged N152 million fraud officially commenced,Tuesday, with an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Egho Amiebelomo, telling the court that the ongoing N152 million fraud case against Olusanya, the founder of Oak Homes Limited, and the company itself, involved allegations of fraud, obtaining under false pretence, and stealing.

Olusanya and his company are facing a four-count charge brought by the police, which includes conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, fraud, and stealing.

They were arraigned on November 26, 2024, and pleaded not guilty.

According to the police in the charge, Olukayode Olusanya conspired with Lynda Umeh—Head of Sales and Marketing at Oak Homes, who is currently at large—to defraud a Nigerian-American. 

The alleged fraud occurred between November 8, 2017, and August 4, 2020, when they reportedly convinced Ugbebor to pay N152 million for two three-bedroom apartments at Oak Residence in Victoria Island, with a promise to deliver the property by February 28, 2019.

However, the property was never handed over.

At a previous hearing on February 10, 2025, the prosecution attempted to submit both the complainant’s petition and the defendant’s statement as evidence, but the defence objected. 

At the resumed session, Justice Kakaki ruled on the matter. While the complainant’s petition was admitted and marked as Exhibit A, the defendant’s statement was rejected.

The judge explained: “The petition sought to be tendered is signed. I admit the same in evidence and mark it as Exhibit A.”

Regarding the defendant’s statement, the judge ruled: “The statement is hereby marked as rejected.”

He stated the prosecution had failed to comply with Section 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Taking the stand as the first prosecution witness, Amiebelomo testified that he had invited three additional witnesses—Mrs. Kofo Coker, Mr. Seye, and Mr. Shuiabu—during his investigation.

When asked by Prosecuting Counsel, Supol M. A. Omo-Osagie, if any of them submitted documents, he replied: “Yes, they tendered the payment receipt and offer letter from the defendant, issued in 2017, which the complainant, Anthony Ugbebor, accepted.”

The judge then adjourned the trial to July 8, 2025, for continuation.

During cross-examination, Defence Counsel Adeleke Agboola (SAN) asked Amiebelomo when the petition was dated. He responded: “It was dated December 27, 2023.”

He added that the petition was submitted to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, and was assigned to him for investigation on the same day.

Amiebelomo also confirmed that he met Ugbebor in person after the petition was transferred to his department, and that the complainant made and signed a statement in his presence.

When asked to verify the authenticity of the signature on the petition, the officer said: “I’m not a signature expert.”

He further disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously handled the case but said he was unaware that Olusanya had refunded N110 million to the EFCC via bank draft.

He also stated that Olukayode Olusanya did not inform him of any partial payment during the investigation.

Under questioning, Amiebelomo said he was unaware of a civil suit—No. LD447LMW/2023—pending before the Lagos State High Court, in which a pre-emptive injunction had reportedly been granted against both the complainant and the EFCC.

“They were not served,” he stated.

Agboola argued that the case was purely civil in nature and pointed to existing court decisions prohibiting police involvement in such matters.

However, the prosecution objected to this line of questioning.

Citing legal authority, Omo-Osagie maintained that civil transactions could become criminal if fraud is involved. He invoked Section 135 of the Evidence Act and urged the court to disregard the defence’s argument.

Counsel for Oak Homes, Mr. E. Jude, later suggested that Amiebelomo’s investigation was inconclusive. The officer responded:

“My investigation was conclusive. When I visited the location, the building was not complete.”

When asked if the defendant offered any explanation during the investigation for failing to deliver the property, Amiebelomo replied: “Yes.”

He added: “The defendant said the price he agreed with Ugbebor was no longer workable for him, as costs had increased, and that he would not go ahead with the initial terms. That was what he told me.”

Asked whether Olusanya mentioned COVID-19 or the sealing of the property by the Lagos State Government as reasons for the delay, Amiebelomo said:

“No, he didn’t mention COVID or the sealing of the building by the Lagos State Government.”

Easter Season's Greetings From Benue Links Nigeria Limited

To His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State; The Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Chief Aondona Dajoh and Honourable Members; Benue State Executive Council Members; Spiritual, Traditional, and Community Leaders; and the Good People of Benue State.

As we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the management and staff of Benue Links Nigeria Limited extend warm and heartfelt Easter season greetings to you and your families. May the joy, peace, and love that define this season bring renewed hope, prosperity, and progress to our great state. May the spirit of sacrifice, love, and kindness that characterizes this period inspire us to work together for the development and well-being of our community.

We express our deepest appreciation for your leadership and commitment to the growth and development of Benue State. Your tireless efforts to promote peace, unity, and progress have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the economic development of our state.

As we celebrate this Easter season, may we be reminded of the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and unity in our journey towards a brighter future. May the risen Christ fill our hearts with peace, love, and joy, and may His teachings guide us in our endeavors to build a better Benue State for all.

In this season of renewal and rebirth, we pray for continued peace, prosperity, and progress in our state. May God bless our leaders, our communities, and our people, and may we emerge from this season with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to our collective well-being.

Wishing you a blessed and joyous Easter celebration.

Signed,

Comrade Alexander Aondohemba Fanafa

KSM MNIM MCLMI

General Manager, Benue Links Nigeria Limited

Factional NANS President, Abubakar Isah abducted in Abuja

By Dansu Peter 

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said its  President, Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, has  been abducted by gunmen in Abuja.

The group has alleged that a factional president of NANS, Ladoja Olusola is behind the incident 

Olusola is being supported by Seyi Tinubu. 

NANS in a statement signed by Comrade Umar Abdullahi, its Secretary General said Abubakar Isah was abducted on his way from the Defence Headquarters in Abuja where he went to lodge a complaint regarding threat to life and impersonation of his office by same Mr. Ladoja Olusola who has been parading himself as the president of the association. I

"It is also important to note that Comrade Atiku had  earlier submitted a petition before the Inspector General of Police (IGP) against Mr. Ladoja Olusola. He also detailed in a widely publicized press conference how Ladoja Olusola sent gunmen to truncate the NANS national convention that produced Atiku as President. 

"Consequently, NANS wishes to call for the immediate and unconditional release of its president by those holding him hostage. 

"We call on Mr. President, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and all relevant security agencies to ensure that Comrade Atiku is released immediately and unharmed