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Benue Lawmaker Dajoh Loses Brother After Days Resignation As Speaker

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The immediate-past Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, on Monday, confirmed the passing of his elder brother, Gwamile Dajoh.

The former Speaker told our correspondent in his Makurdi residence on Monday that he had lost his brother, but gave thanks to God.

Many political associates, friends and allies of the former speaker thronged his residence to commiserate with him over the loss, which followed his resignation as speaker on Sunday, paving the way for the emergence of Alfred Berger as the new speaker of the state assembly.

News of the passing of the former speaker’s elder brother filtered into town on Monday, with sources claiming he died after collapsing a few hours after the news of his sibling’s resignation as speaker.

Details of the incident remained unclear as of press time, but family sources suggested he had been deeply worried about the political crisis rocking the state assembly in recent weeks.

The development has thrown the Dajoh family into mourning and heightened the political situation in the state.

 

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Headlines

JUST IN: Benue farmer killed by suspected herders in fresh attack

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A farmer simply identified as Alphonsis Lorbe has reportedly been killed by some suspected armed herders in Benue State.

Lorbe was said to be killed by the herders in Tse-Kanji, Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, June 24.

In a post shared on X, Zagazola Makama said the farmer was killed while he was working on his farm at about 1 pm.

A counter-terrorism expert, Makama said sources within the area noted that the attack on the farmer had thrown residents into panic.

According to the sources, troops of the Nigerian military, the police and operatives of other security agencies were deployed to the location to stem further possible attacks.

The body of the deceased farmer has since been recovered from the farm and deposited in the morgue.

State authorities have also assured that efforts are being made to apprehend the killers to prevent an escalation of violence.

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Headlines

Tinubu Heads to Benue on Wednesday as Killings Persist

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has announced his resolve to visit Benue on Wednesday following the continued killing of some residents by suspected Fulani pastoralists.

The president disclosed this on Monday when he commissioned The Greater Abuja Water Supply Network, Loops 1, 2, 5 & 6 of the Federal Capital City, FCC.

“While I sympathise with the Benue people, I have spoken to the governor, the leadership and people of Benue to accept our condolences and try hard, very consciously, to maintain peace and harmony among themselves.

“I have always said we are one single, huge family living in the same house, say in different rooms but living together in harmony which should be the result of our diversity for prosperity. We should be able to manage our anger and frustrations.

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Governor Alia Suspends Chief Press Secretary Indefinitely For Joining #EndBenueGenocide Protest

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has suspended his Chief Press Secretary, Hon. Ukeyima John UKmoni, indefinitely for participating in the #EndBenueGenocide protest in defiance of official orders.

The suspension, which was issued through the Office of the Principal Special Assistant on Youth and Media Mobilisation, was contained in a letter dated June 15, 2025, and signed by Mr Lubem Terkura (Aluta General).

The letter stated that UKmoni was “working against the explicit directives of your Principal” and described his conduct as “a serious breach of your duties and the trust placed in your office.”

Ahead of the protest, UKmoni had posted on Facebook: “Tomorrow morning at wurukum roundabout, Black on Black outfit. We are marching to the Wurukum Roundabout for a peaceful message to Stop Benue K!lli.ngs. We are not here for violence but to Stop Benue K!l.lings. After all #IKnowWhereIBelong This is just the only message we are passing across #StopBenueKillings.”

According to one of his posts, he saw a video of a woman whose five children and mother were killed and burnt to ashes, he couldn’t help but jump to the street, asking himself “what if I’m the one”.

Reacting to his suspension, UKmoni wrote on Facebook: “Good morning Hon PSA to the Governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilization Hon Krayzeetee Atu Terver, I received your letter via Facebook this morning that you have suspended me immediately and indefinitely.

“I accept my indefinite suspension even though I wasn’t given any Appointment Letter officially.

“You and many people know I am not the type that will ever speak ill or Negative about anybody I have ever worked for or will work for in future no matter the circumstances because I believe Silence is golden when it comes to such.

“So I appreciate the little time we both spent together during this appointment, you are my brother and will always be a brother to me.

“I wish you all the Best in life. thank you after all #IKnowWhereIBelong.”

SaharaReporters previously reported that a wave of brutal violence had continued to engulf communities in Benue State.

The latest attack carried out over the weekend claimed more than 100 lives, according to Amnesty International.

It was learnt that dozens of people were burnt alive and many others shot dead when suspected herdsmen launched a late-night attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The latest attack carried out over the weekend claimed more than 100 lives, according to Amnesty International.

It was learnt that dozens of people were burnt alive and many others shot dead when suspected herdsmen launched a late-night attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack, which occurred between Friday night and the early hours of Saturday, saw the assailants split into two groups—one stormed the police station, while the other moved from house to house, killing residents and setting buildings ablaze.

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Vanguard
Headlines

Vanguard Faces Backlash for Front-Page Focus on Tinubu, Wike Water Project Amid Benue Massacre

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Vanguard Newspaper has ignited widespread criticism for its decision to prioritize a front-page story on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike commissioning a water supply project in Abuja, while the gruesome killings in Benue State over the weekend were relegated to lesser coverage.

The attacks, which took place in Daudu and Yelewata communities of Guma Local Government Area, claimed at least 59 lives, with local sources estimating up to 200 deaths, including military and civil defence personnel. The violence, attributed to suspected armed herdsmen, has intensified calls for urgent federal action to address the escalating insecurity in Benue.

The choice of Vanguard’s front-page headline on Monday, June 16, 2025, drew sharp reactions on social media, particularly on X, where users accused the newspaper of downplaying the tragedy to favor political optics. One user, @Winningmindset7, expressed dismay, stating, “Over 200 people killed in Benue, and Vanguard’s front page is about Tinubu and Wike’s water project? This is shameful.” Another, @pereyiii, questioned whether political influence swayed the editorial decision, asking, “Has Tinubu’s APC bought Vanguard’s silence on the Benue massacre?”

The Benue killings, described by witnesses as brutal and systematic, involved homes being torched and entire families slaughtered. President Tinubu responded on Sunday, condemning the “senseless bloodletting” and directing security chiefs to restore peace, as stated by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

However, the federal government’s response has been criticized as inadequate, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and civil society groups like HURIWA demanding stronger measures, including declaring a state of emergency in Benue to curb the recurring violence.

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Benue State
Headlines

Youths Protest Abduction of Traders in Owukpa, Benue State

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Youths in Owukpa, Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State, on Monday staged a protest over the recent abduction of traders in the area.

The protest follows the hijacking of a Benue Links vehicle by suspected armed men over the weekend along the Owukpa–Orokam road. The assailants reportedly abducted several female passengers, including both young and adult women, who were returning from Orba market in Enugu State to Owukpa.

The incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. near the Eyiupi community. The attackers, believed to be armed herdsmen, intercepted the vehicle and forcibly took the passengers to an unknown destination.

As of the time of filing this report, the kidnappers have yet to make contact with the victims’ families or issue any ransom demands.

In response, angry youths barricaded the Orokam-Owukpa-Okpoga road, calling on the government to intervene and secure the release of the abducted individuals.

The protest has disrupted movement in the area, leaving travelers from Enugu and nearby communities stranded, as the youths vowed not to allow entry or exit into Owukpa until the victims are rescued.

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Communal Clash
Headlines

Tension in Benue as Communal Violence Displaces Residents

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Several houses have been destroyed and residents displaced following a renewed communal clash between communities in Gwer East and Konshisha Local Government Areas of Benue State.

The incident, which occurred over the weekend, is the latest in a series of recurring conflicts between the two communities over longstanding disputes that have persisted for the past three months.

According to sources, the violence erupted when members of the Mbaiase community in Masev, Gwer East LGA, launched a surprise attack on the Gbinde community in Mbagusa, Mbatser, Shangev-Tiev of Konshisha LGA. The attack was described as a reprisal.

The media aide to the Executive Chairman of Konshisha LGA, Terhide Fave, confirmed the incident, stating that the attack took place on Saturday evening and led to the destruction of several houses and properties. However, he noted that there were no reported casualties.

“Residents have fled the area. Many houses were burnt but I can’t ascertain the numbers now,” Fave said, adding that many families have been forced to seek refuge in neighbouring communities.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the full extent of the damage or measures being taken to prevent further escalation.

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Headlines

2face bags Political appointment in Benue

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has appointed singer Innocent Idibia, widely known as 2Baba, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.

The appointment was disclosed in a video that trended on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

2Baba hails from Benue State.

Alia commended 2Baba’s enduring influence and commitment to Benue State, saying: “Let me thank you very deeply for supporting my administration and for preparing me for 2027.

“I feel it will not be out of place at all because you are a guru of entertainment. Once you say 2Face, people start dancing, even without the song.

“So, we are happy you’re here on behalf of the Benue State government and our very good people who want to give you more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advisement as well.

“So, I’m pleased to announce that we would make you a technical adviser to the governor on entertainment and community outreach.”

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Headlines

BREAKING: Many feared dead as gunmen attack another community in Otukpo

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Several persons are feared dead following another deadly attack on Emichi village in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

LEADING REPORTERS gathered that the attackers stormed the community around 2:00 pm on Wednesday, shooting indiscriminately at residents.

It was learnt that terrified residents fled for safety as no security personnel were on ground to intervene at the time of the attack.

The incident is coming barely 24 hours after 11 persons were gruesomely killed in Otobi-Akpa by suspected herdsmen.

More details to follow…

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Headlines

BREAKING: Benue Assembly stops lifetime pension, cars for Ortom, Suswam, others

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Benue State House of Assembly has repealed the law for lifetime pension and other benefits of former elected governors and their deputies.

Recall that few days to the end of the last assembly, lawmakers passed the controversial pension bill to extend benefits to ex-elected governors and their deputies from 1999.

Titus Uba, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was the speaker of the assembly.

But, during plenary on Monday, May 27, 2024, the assembly repealed the bill passed into law by their predecessors on account that it was not done in good faith.

The lawmakers said the law was anti-people and they were unanimous in support of the repeal after several contributions from members of the House.

Speaker of the House, Aondona Dajoh, ruled in favour of the unanimous resolution of the House to repeal the “Bill for a law to repeal provision for the maintenance of former elected governors of the state and their deputies and for other matters connected thereto 2024.”

The bill had stipulated conditions of the law to include, payment of monthly stipend as basic pensions for former governors and their deputies, equivalent to the current salaries of the serving governor, from the consolidated revenue of the state.

Other benefits include: “A monthly stipend equivalent to the basic salary of a serving/incumbent Governor in the State for life and which shall be a charge on the Consolidated Revenue Funds of the State.

“The deputy governor shall enjoy a monthly stipend equivalent to the Basic salary of an incumbent Deputy Governor for life and shall be charge on the Consolidated Revenue Funds of the State.

“A maintenance allowance of N25,000,000.00 (Twentyfive Million Naira) for the former Governor and the Deputy Governor N15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira) every four (4) years.”

It also offers the “procurement of two official SUVs of the status of the former governor and one official car for the deputy governor while the state government is mandated to avail a former governor with six personal staff, one personal assistant, two drivers, two cleaners and one cook.”

A former deputy governor, according to the law, will enjoy three personal staff, one personal assistant, one driver and one cleaner.

“There will also be provision of security, yearly medical expenses, replacement of vehicles every four years with new ones of same quality and status,” the old law stipulated.

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