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ACF condemns attacks on Northern truck drivers in South-East, calls for urgent action

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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised the alarm over the continued attacks on truck drivers transporting goods from the North to the South-East, allegedly perpetrated by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF described the attacks as a major threat to national security, warning that they could lead to widespread anarchy if left unchecked.

According to the statement, drivers of heavy-duty trucks have been subjected to “vicious and unprovoked attacks,” resulting in the deaths of several drivers, the burning of vehicles, and the looting of goods. The group accused security agencies and the federal government of failing to address the situation.

“These attacks are being brazenly carried out by gunmen and gun-women who openly claim membership of terror groups such as IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN), with their actions specifically targeting northerners and northern-owned property,” the statement read.

The ACF also condemned the gruesome nature of the attacks, stating that perpetrators had gone as far as recording and sharing videos of the violence on social media.

The statement further revealed that members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) had protested in Jos, Plateau State, over the killings, lamenting that over 50 truck drivers and about 100 trailers had been burned in the last eight years.

The forum warned that unless urgent measures are taken, transport unions may resort to halting the movement of goods to and from the South-East.

The ACF also extended condolences to the families of victims and urged security agencies to take immediate action by apprehending those responsible for the attacks. It called on the governments of Enugu and Imo states to compensate victims for lives lost and damages incurred.

Furthermore, the group criticized what it termed the “silence” of South-East political and socio-cultural leaders, urging them to publicly condemn the attacks and work towards restoring peace.

The ACF emphasized that no individual or group should be allowed to carry out such violent acts unchecked and called on the government to declare a state of emergency on the matter.

 

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Youth election claims life in Imo

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The Imo State Police Command has responded to the crisis that erupted in Umusi/Olokwa Community, Owerri West LGA, which claimed the life of the Youth Leader-elect, Stanley Nwoke, two months after he was declared the winner of the Community Youth general election.

In a press statement, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has condemned the killing and vowed to apprehend those responsible.

Okoye revealed that the attack, which took place on 15 March 2025, left four siblings of the murdered youth leader injured and led to the burning of nine houses.

He further stated that preliminary investigations indicated the violence erupted following the youth election held on 3 January 2025. After Nwoke was declared the winner, a faction allegedly led by Chinaza Nwachukwu and others—who are currently at large and suspected to be behind the attack—rejected the outcome.

The command’s spokesperson explained that, in response to the incident, CP Danjuma, alongside his management team, visited the community for an on-the-spot assessment, where he commiserated with the bereaved families and those whose houses were destroyed.

Okoye added that the Police Commissioner assured the community of the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice and preventing future violence.

He confirmed that four suspects have already been arrested and are currently under investigation, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

Okoye further stated that the deceased’s body has been deposited in the morgue, and the injured victims are receiving medical care in the hospital.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police assures the public that normalcy has been restored in Umusi/Olokwa Community, with security measures in place to prevent further unrest. CP urges all stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding, emphasising that violence is not a solution to disputes. He also calls on community leaders to adopt peaceful conflict resolution strategies to prevent future occurrences,” he stated.

The command’s spokesperson used the opportunity to reaffirm the Command’s commitment to the safety of all residents.

He encouraged members of the public to provide credible information that could aid the ongoing investigation by contacting the police via its emergency lines 0803 477 3600 and 0814 802 4755.

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BTR will be transformed into a region of peace and progress: Assam CM

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (Photo/ANI) © Provided by Asian News International (ANI)
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Kokrajhar (Assam) [India], March 16 (ANI): AssamChief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) will be transformed into a region of peace and progress.

“The BTR would be transformed into a region of prosperity, peace, and progress,” he said.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the 57th Annual Conference of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) at Dotma in Kokrajhar in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma highlighted the pivotal role of ABSU in the advancement of the Bodo community. He emphasised that since its establishment, ABSU has remained dedicated to the holistic development of the community.

Paying tribute to Bodofa Upendranath Brahma, Dr Sarma noted that under his leadership, the Bodo community pursued the vision of self-governance.

“In alignment with this vision, a peace accord was signed in 2020 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, bringing together ABSU, NDFB, and representatives of the Bodo community,” he said.

Sarma further said that since the signing of the accord, the government has undertaken sustained efforts to promote the welfare and development of the Bodo community.

The Chief Minister announced that the government is taking necessary steps to transform Kokrajhar University into a full-fledged university, which would provide fresh intellectual impetus to the Bodo community. He also stated that a new campus of Bodoland University would be established in Udalguri. Additionally, he assured that work on a new medical college in Udalguri would commence within the next three years.

Referring to the proposed railway line between Gelephu and Kokrajhar, the Chief Minister stated that this connectivity project would bring significant socio-economic transformation to the Bodoland region.

He further mentioned that in consultation with ABSU, steps are being taken to introduce the Bodo language as a medium of instruction at the higher secondary level, with plans for future extension to the undergraduate level.

Reiterating an announcement made in the AssamLegislative Assembly, he stated that 35 high schools in the Bodoland region would be upgraded to model high schools.

Additionally, he announced that in October this year, a grand cultural showcase featuring Bagrumba and Bardoisikhla dance forms would be organised at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati, with the participation of 8,000 to 10,000 young men and women to promote these traditional dance forms globally. He also highlighted the government’s continued efforts towards the socio-economic development of the Bodoland Territorial Region, including the establishment of a new 1,200 MW power generation plant.

The Chief Minister stated that as per the request of ABSU, the birth anniversary of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma has been observed across the state as Chatra Divas on March 31. Furthermore, he announced that the state government has taken a decision to recognise Bodofa’s burial site in Dotma as a state-level memorial, with plans for its beautification and development.

Additionally, he stated that the Assam government and the BTR administration would observe May 1 every year to commemorate the death anniversary of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma.

Dr Sarma reiterated the government’s commitment to the full implementation of the Bodo Peace Accord. He said that following the accord, new villages have been incorporated into the Bodoland Territorial Region.

He also mentioned that a Directorate for Bodo Language has been established and for Bodos residing outside the BTR, the Bodo-Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council has been formed. Measures are also being taken to grant land rights to Bodos in districts such as Sonitpur and Biswanath, he added.

Highlighting a historic milestone, CM Sarma stated that on February 17, for the first time, a session of the Assam Legislative Assembly was held in Kokrajhar. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring self-governance and upholding the rights of the Bodo people.

Minister of Agriculture Atul Bora, Minister of Handloom & Textiles U G Brahma, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ashok Singhal, AssamLegislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Council Pramod Boro, BJP Assam Pradesh President and MP Dilip Saikia, MPs Joyanta Basumatary and R.G. Narzary, Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Tuliram Ronghang, ABSU President Dipen Boro, Bodo Sahitya Sabha President Surat Narzary, and other distinguished dignitaries were present in the conference. (ANI)

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Nollywood actress Ini Edo joyfully celebrated her daughter Light’s 4th birthday on March 15, 2025. Taking to Instagram, she shared heartfelt sentiments

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“Happy 4th Birthday, Light!  Heavenly Father, today I lift up my precious daughter, Light, in gratitude and joy. These four years have been a testament to Your love and faithfulness. She is my greatest blessing, my shining star, and I am eternally grateful for the gift of being her mother. May her life continue to radiate Your light, love, and goodness to the world.” 

Light, born through surrogacy in 2021, has been a source of immense joy for Ini Edo, who often shares glimpses of their cherished moments together. The actress’s recent post garnered an outpouring of love and well-wishes from fans and colleagues alike, all celebrating Light’s special day.

In addition to the Instagram post, a heartwarming video montage capturing Light’s growth and joyful moments over the past four years was shared on YouTube, further commemorating the occasion. 

The celebration was a beautiful reminder of the joy and fulfillment that Light brings into Ini Edo’s life, marking another milestone in their journey together.

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