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Benue Monarch Condemns Attack on Okpomaju Village By Suspected Fulani Herders
The traditional ruler of the Otukpo-Abaku Kingdom, Ochotukpo Odu, Chief Dr John Eimonye OON JP, has strongly condemned the unprovoked attack on Okpomaju village, allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani herders on Wednesday night.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the Otukpo District Traditional Council, Chief Udeh Adole, the monarch expressed deep concern over the continued violence in the region, despite efforts to foster peaceful coexistence.
“Despite all positive and non-kinetic approaches by the peace-loving people of Otukpo Kingdom to ensure that peace reigns in the land, the Fulani herders have chosen the path of war over a land that is neither theirs nor a common patrimony,” the statement read.
Chief Eimonye vowed that under his leadership, the Otukpo-Abaku Kingdom would defend its land and people against any form of intimidation, describing the attack as a grievous affront to the community.
While extending his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the assault, he said the tragedy was a personal loss to him and the entire Otukpo people.
The monarch called on security agencies and all levels of government to take urgent action to prevent further attacks, stressing that such violence should not become a recurring phenomenon.
According to the statement, the Ochotukpo Odu also addressed allegations that certain individuals had received money from herders in exchange for ceding portions of Otukpo land. He assured the people that a serious investigation was underway to verify such claims.
He further invoked the deities of the land to punish anyone—regardless of their position or status—who might have had prior knowledge of the attacks or participated in any land deals with the herders.
“No means will be spared in defending our people and their God-given land,” he declared, urging unity and patriotism among the people to confront the ongoing security challenge.
The attack on Okpomaju is the latest in a series of violent clashes between farming communities and suspected armed herders in Benue State, a region that has experienced recurring conflicts over land and grazing rights.
Local leaders have repeatedly called for stronger government intervention to curb the violence, which has led to the displacement of thousands and significant loss of lives.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday for a high-level operational visit to Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North East.
The visit, according to a statement by Ahmad Dan Wudil, the minister’s media aide, aims to evaluate the troops’ operational readiness, boost morale among frontline personnel, and review strategies to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
The statement underscored the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The trip comes amid growing concerns over resurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
Earlier this month, Governor Babagana Zulum warned that the security situation was deteriorating, with insurgents dislodging military formations in areas such as Wulgo, Wajiroko, and Sabon Gari.
Zulum urged the federal government and security agencies to act decisively to prevent a reversal of the gains made in the fight against insurgency.
“While we appreciate the tremendous support from the federal government and the military, the current shift in focus away from the North East risks undermining our progress,” Zulum said, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to curb the escalating violence.
The minister’s visit signals a renewed commitment to addressing the security challenges in Borno, where sporadic attacks have raised fears among residents and displaced communities.
Operation HADIN KAI remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to combat insurgency and restore stability to the troubled region.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Malaria Day 2025, the Caleb Danladi Foundation has stepped up its efforts to combat the disease, with a special focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Aligning with this year’s theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the Foundation facilitated the re-enrollment of hundreds of women, children, and other at-risk groups into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme.
Founder of the Foundation, Captain Caleb Danladi, disclosed that the organisation fully funded the beneficiaries’ insurance premiums to enhance their access to malaria prevention and treatment services.
Speaking during Friday’s commemoration, Danladi lamented that malaria continues to claim countless lives, particularly in underserved communities.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” he said. “On this World Malaria Day, we reaffirm our commitment to saving lives through direct support, strong advocacy, and strategic investments in community health solutions.”
He emphasised the need for sustained investments in healthcare and a reimagined approach to delivering equitable services across communities.
Danladi also urged government agencies, healthcare workers, and development partners to strengthen collaboration efforts aimed at eradicating malaria, noting that safeguarding the health and dignity of Nigerians especially women and children is a shared responsibility.
The Director-General (D-G) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that Africa would be minimally impacted by the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States of America (USA), Donald Trump.
Okonjo-Iweala made the remark during an interview with Nigerian journalists at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank in Washington D.C. on Friday.
She explained that only 6.5 per cent of Africa’s exports go to the USA, while 4.4 per cent of its imports come from the U.S., meaning that the impact on the continent would be minimal.
“The trade of the continent is very limited with the USA. We have done the analysis, and the impact on the continent as a whole is not significant,” she said.
However, she noted that Africa’s limited trade with the USA was also not ideal, as it hindered economic growth.
The D-G emphasised that Africa needed to focus on utilising its own resources to reach its full potential, as aid was declining, and the continent required more investment.
She pointed out that Africa must strengthen internal trade, citing Lesotho as an example.
In spite of Lesotho exporting 200 million dollars’ worth of textiles to the USA, the country faced challenges due to the shrinking U.S. market.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that Africa spent 7 billion dollars annually on importing textiles, suggesting that Lesotho should instead focus on selling textiles within African markets.
She also urged the USA to consider the effects of tariffs on least-developed countries, calling for a reassessment of the reciprocal tariffs in poorer nations.
Okonjo-Iweala concluded that Africa needed more investments and should work towards boosting intra-Africa trade, which remained underdeveloped.
“We cannot trade more externally, where our trade is only 3 per cent of world trade, or internally, where intra-Africa trade is 16 to 20 per cent at most,” she said.(NAN)