The Agatu Youth Development Initiative, AYDI, has condemned the recent killing of a herder and the rustling of cows in several communities across Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The group attributed the crimes to perpetrators of violent acts, whom they described as enemies of the peaceful people of Agatu.

In a statement released on Saturday, AYDI expressed deep concern over the increasing criminal activities in the area, revealing that over 210 cows have been killed and stolen in the past few months.

AYDI clarified that these perpetrators were not indigenes of Agatu but rather outsiders envious of the peace and stability established in the region since October 2024.

The group’s National President, Ngbede Edoh, and Woman Leader, Mrs Rose Onuminya, expressed fears that the criminal acts could reverse the significant progress made in peace-building efforts by the executive chairman of Agatu LGA, Hon Melvin Ejeh.

The statement reads: “We are constrained to issue this press statement, in light of recent events in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, whose people are known to be peace-lovers, peace-makers, as well as peace-builders

“We are deeply concerned about verified reports of fresh killings of an innocent boy, and over 210 cows by enemies of Agatu, who seek to reverse the gains our people have been enjoying from the peace strategy with Fulani leaders, which ensured that herders and settlers will respect the laws, traditions and customs of their host communities.

“As a gesture of reciprocity, our people undertook to be good hosts, hospitable, and accommodating, in demonstration of their time-honoured nature.

“We are afraid that if nothing is done – and urgently too – Agatu land might be returned to the dark days, where killings and reprisals were the order of the day.

“As is often said: ‘beneficiaries of acts of wickedness and crimes are those that originate them’. Therefore, no effort should be spared to stop evildoers from taking us back to Egypt.

“As a transparent, non-profit organisation, we make bold to state that the perpetrators of this fresh, targeted violence, do not represent Agatu, hence do not have the stainless and pure blood of Agatu running in their veins.

“Our painstaking investigations revealed that they are bad eggs, who are sponsored to truncate the peace enjoyed by the good people of Agatu since the assumption of office of the chairman, Hon (Amb) Melvin Ejeh.

“They are crises merchants, who accept the least of incentives, including a mess of pottage, to main, kill, and spill innocent blood, to satisfy their paymasters.”

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU VOWS SEVERE PUNISHMENT FOR PLATEAU ATTACKERS, COMMISERATES WITH FAMILIES OF VICTIMS

President Bola Tinubu has promised that the gunmen who killed many people in communities in Plateau State will be apprehended and face severe punishment under the law.

The President extended his condolences to the families of the victims in Ruwi, Hurti, and Tadai communities in Bokkos Local Government and those from Manguna and Dafo villages, where the gunmen launched brutal attacks, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of properties.

President Tinubu commiserated with the Government of Plateau State and Governor Caleb Mutfwang, urging the affected communities to cooperate with the authorities and security agencies by volunteering information to catch the perpetrators and secure their communities.

He assured Governor Mutfwang of his support in ending this spate of wanton bloodletting on the Plateau.

He directed the National Emergency Management Agency to work with state authorities to provide necessary support to the victims and bring immediate relief to the affected communities and those wounded during the attacks. NEMA will work closely with the state to ensure that affected communities rebuild and recover.

The President stated: “The report of another violent attack in communities in Plateau State by mindless gunmen saddens me. The latest attacks on defenceless citizens are unacceptable. I have directed security agencies to hunt down the attackers, and they will face severe punishment when apprehended. These intermittent attacks should have no place in our country at a time when we are working so hard to restore peace and order in all parts of our country.

This unfortunate incident will never dampen and slow us down in our duty to protect every Nigerian citizen. Instead, we will work harder to exterminate forces of evil wherever they are lurking in our country.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families and all those affected by this senseless violence.  No community should have to endure such tragedy. We all must unite to foster peace and stability. I urge all citizens—regardless of ethnic, religious, or political affiliations—to uphold the shared humanity that binds us all, embrace peace and reject retaliation.”

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

April 5, 2025

The Federal High Court in Abuja has set April 10 as the date to hear a case asking for the removal of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.

The case, which lists President Bola Tinubu as the first defendant, has been assigned to Justice James Omotosho.

Other defendants include the Attorney-General of the Federation, Ibas and the Attorneys-General of all 36 states, making them the 2nd to 39th defendants.

The suit was filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi.

He is asking the court to cancel all actions and decisions taken by Ibas in his role as Sole Administrator.

He called these actions unconstitutional and without legal backing.

The lawyer wants the court to give a permanent order stopping President Tinubu or anyone under him from removing or interfering with the tenure of any state governor or deputy governor.

He also seeks a similar order stopping the President from appointing any Sole Administrator to lead a state in the country.