News
The Shocking Wave Of Attacks: Takum, Ussa, And Yangtu Communities Struggle For Peace
By Tambaya Julius
In a tragic series of events, more than a hundred lives have been mercilessly taken in the span of a year across the Takum, Ussa, and Yangtu communities of Taraba State.
The assailants, allegedly identified as herders, have left behind a trail of destruction, decimating not only lives but also the hopes of these peaceful villages.
Emmanuel Ukwen, the President General of Kuteb World Wide, voiced his distress over the relentless attacks on the Kuteb Communities of Takum, Ussa, and Yangtu.
The communities’ tranquility has been shattered by these ruthless assaults, resulting in the heart-wrenching loss of innocent lives and the devastation of property worth millions of naira.
The magnitude of this crisis has intensified in recent months, with a staggering death toll of over a hundred individuals within a twelve-month period.
The most recent incident, which occurred on a fateful Tuesday, claimed the lives of three individuals from these communities, slaughtered mercilessly by the herders.
The harrowing tale of bloodshed began when a suspected herder ventured onto the farmland of a local resident.
An altercation ensued when the resident confronted the herder, leading to a fatal clash.
Tragically, the resident lost his life while being transported to the hospital.
This gruesome incident triggered a chain reaction of violence, as the herders began launching attacks on one village after another.
As the horrifying saga continues, an alarming 59 villages have fallen victim to these brutal attacks.
The very fabric of these communities is being torn apart, and the despair is palpable.
Villages like Tati, Fawen, Simta, Bassan, Muji 1, Muji 2, Tukog, Kumbo, Ucha, Nyido, and more have been plunged into darkness by the heavy hand of aggression.
Lives have been lost, homes reduced to ashes, and families shattered in the wake of these attacks.
Mbiya 1, Mbiya 2, Tamiya, Rikumcwo, and others have also suffered the same fate, leaving a trail of pain and loss.
Survivors recount the horrors that unfold under the cover of night. Gunmen, armed with deadly weapons, descend upon the villages in alarming numbers, leaving the residents defenseless.
Despite the presence of an army barracks in Takum, the scale of the attacks has overwhelmed security forces.
Even the once-sturdy IDP camps have been disrupted, leaving a void of safety in their wake.
In the midst of this chaos, the Police Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi, assures that the police remain committed to addressing the security challenge.
Swift action is being taken, with officers mobilized to the affected areas. Abdullahi clarifies that the situation is under control, dispelling any notion of the police being overwhelmed.
In the Kunkwa village of Yangtu Special Development Area, tragedy struck once more.
Three lives were extinguished as Rimamskep Atenji, Andekwab Ashasim, and ElKannah Akyara were mercilessly killed by bandits while on their way to the farm.
This grim event serves as a chilling reminder of the relentless nature of these attacks.
Amidst the despair and sorrow, the people of Takum, Ussa, and Yangtu raise their voices in unity.
Stakeholders, who prefer to remain anonymous, implore the Federal Government to step up its efforts.
The deployment of additional troops is urgently needed to quell the violence and restore a sense of lasting peace to these embattled communities.
As the sun sets on another day, the struggle for survival and peace continues in Takum, Ussa, and Yangtu.
The lives lost and the devastation wrought stand as a solemn testament to the resilience of these communities in the face of unimaginable adversity.
US President Donald Trump has asserted that he is not jesting about his ambitions for a third presidential term, despite the constitutional restrictions in place.
While the U.S. Constitution prohibits any individual from serving more than two four-year terms, Trump indicated that it is premature to delve into such considerations.
Having assumed office for his second, non-consecutive term on January 20, Trump has hinted at his desire for a third term, addressing the matter more directly in a telephone conversation with NBC News.
“No, I’m not joking. I’m not joking,” Trump reiterated, though he acknowledged, “it is far too early to think about it.”
He hinted at potential avenues to pursue this goal without providing specific details.
According to the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, U.S. presidents are limited to two terms, whether consecutive or not. To amend this constitutional provision would require a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the 50 state legislatures.
Some of Trump’s allies have suggested the feasibility of extending his stay in the White House beyond 2028. Trump himself has alluded to this notion on multiple occasions, often in a manner that challenges his political adversaries. Should he pursue another term after the November 2028 election, he would be 82 years old, having previously made history as the oldest president at the time of his inauguration.
The tradition of limiting presidential terms was established by George Washington in 1796. This practice was largely followed for over 140 years until Franklin D. Roosevelt broke the norm by winning a third term in 1940. Roosevelt, who led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II, sadly passed away during his fourth term in 1945, leading to the enactment of the term limits amendment in 1951.
Steve Bannon, a long-time adviser to Trump, expressed in a March 19 interview with NewsNation his belief that Trump will indeed run again in 2028. Bannon noted that he and others are exploring ways to facilitate this ambition, including reviewing the definition of term limits. “We’re working on it,” he stated, underscoring the ongoing discussions surrounding Trump’s political future.
Traders in Lagos have voiced their concerns regarding the significant decline in food sales, particularly for pepper, attributing the downturn to rising prices and the diminished purchasing power of local residents.
In interviews conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), both traders and consumers shared their experiences regarding patronage as the Sallah celebration approaches.
Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, Chairman of the Tomato Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria (Kaduna chapter), linked the situation to the heightened prices of produce and the weakened purchasing capacity of consumers. He stated, “Pepper prices in the north are also steep, with a jumbo 50kg bag reaching as high as N150,000, compared to N60,000 to N70,000 just months ago. This price surge may adversely affect the Sallah festivities, as only a few consumers may afford these products.”
Zuntu further explained, “Currently, we are outside the pepper farming season. Insufficient rainfall has led to a scarcity of this commodity, with only a handful of farmers involved in irrigation. Many will resort to using dried pepper, which is more affordable during this time, although demand remains low. We anticipate an increase in demand as the celebration nears.”
Mrs. Mistura Balogun, a pepper vendor at Lawanson Market in Surulere, echoed these sentiments, noting the unusually low customer turnout. “It’s not just pepper that has become expensive; many other goods have seen price increases as well. Typically, this time of year should see a bustling market, but today is quite different. I have been at my stall since morning, and the number of customers is minimal,” she lamented.
Similarly, Mrs. Mojisola Gbadegesin, another pepper seller at Idi-Araba market, reported a stark decrease in patronage. “Despite the high prices, we usually see customers buying pepper, but this year is different. The market feels deserted, and business is sluggish,” she remarked.
Mrs. Judith Amen, also a foodstuff vendor, highlighted that the rising prices of pepper and other food items are likely to escalate further as the celebrations peak. “At the start of the week, a small bag of scotch bonnet pepper was priced at N70,000, and I expect prices to soar over the weekend due to Sallah. A good quality bag of rice is selling for N85,000, while lower-quality options range from N60,000 to N75,000. Although patronage is currently low, we anticipate an uptick a day before Sallah, but consumers will only purchase what they can afford,” she explained.
Mr. John Nwabueze, a trader in the Agege area, expressed frustration over the lack of customers as Eid celebrations begin. “Sales have been notably low, with people buying only what their budgets allow. The market has been unusually quiet, affecting all commodities, including rice. A 50kg bag of rice is priced between N76,000 and N78,000, yet sales remain sluggish this Sallah,” he noted.
Mrs. Amina Fakunle, a resident of the Alimosho area, remarked that the high cost of pepper would lead consumers to celebrate in a more subdued manner. “Just six pieces of pepper cost about N500, which is the lowest price available. With these prices, people will likely opt for a low-key celebration,” she stated.
Mr. David Oriafo, a resident of the Dopemu area, also commented on the lack of festive activity in the market. “I managed to purchase a few items for my family to save costs, but it’s evident that the usual festive buzz is missing. People are only buying what they can afford, much like myself,” he shared. (NAN)
A Nigerian boxer, Segun “Success” Olanrewaju, has died after slumping during a boxing match in Ghana.
The Secretary-General of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Remi Aboderin confirmed the death of the boxer on Sunday.
The 40-year-old boxer, nicknamed “Success”, stumbled to the canvas while fighting Jon Mbanugu, a Ghanian, at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra, on Saturday.
Olanrewaju was not punched or near his opponent when he collapsed violently in round three of the light-heavyweight bout.
The referee called the match immediately, and medical aid was ushered into the ring.
Olarenwaju died after he was rushed to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Ther boxer was a former West African and national light-heavyweight champion.
He competed in 24 bouts with 13 wins, eight losses, and three draws.
In 2022, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo, another boxer, also died after suffering a technical knockout (TKO) in a bout at the National Sports Festival (NSF) in Delta.
Igboanugo died after he took a fatal blow to the nose and did not survive the hit.