A mass burial has been organized for seventeen victims of  armed herders' attack in Mbakyor at Mbalom council ward in Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State.

The victims were laid to rest on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in the community after an interdenominational service.

The marauding herdsmen invaded the community on March 7, 2024, killing the victims, including a retired WO2 Army Officer and a boy.

It was gathered that two out of the 17 farmers were earlier buried, as their corpses were fast decomposing due to the gruesome way they were murdered by their assailants.

Speaking during the burial, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, who was represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, stated that one of the best solutions to end the incessant attacks by armed herders in Benue communities was the formation of vigilante groups.

“Today is a sad day in the history of Benue State; to line up caskets like this is unacceptable. I am so sad, and my heart is heavy to see this kind of spectacle that shouldn’t have happened,” he said.

“Security is not for government alone because there is no one that can protect you like yourself; you need to have a Joint Security Taskforce or vigilante groups that would be properly profiled and handed over to the government to handle them. That is the solution to the insecurity we are facing in the state,”

The governor also pledged to construct the road that passed through the axis to ease the movement of security agencies to the area in times of emergencies, adding that the community was also ripe for a police station.

The governor, however, promised to personally meet with the families of the bereaved after the burial and prayed against a reoccurrence of the same.

Elias Audu, member of Benue House of Assembly, representing Gwer East, wondered why despite the availability of fighter planes to tackle such attacks, security did not live up to their billings

He advised that the relevant security agency should be reprimanded because they would have intervened in the crisis, using fighter helicopters in such a situation, adding that they didn’t when his people were under siege for over 3 hours.

President of the Masev Development Association, Prof. Vitalis Tarhule, noted that the primary responsibility of government was the protection of lives and property, even as he appealed to the government to endeavour to protect the people.

He added that similar attacks had occurred in 2014, 2018 and 2024, bringing to a total of about 40 lives that were lost, insisting that there was a need to establish a security post in Mbaikyor to check the unwholesome activities of armed herders.

Chairman of the Association of Mbaikyor Sons in diaspora, Simon Kofi, told the governor that his people had apprehended two herders and handed them over to the police due to their nefarious activities.

He explained that their crime was that they told the herders not to come back to the community again, a situation which prompted the attack on his kinsmen.

The residence of a former Governor of Benue State, Late Aper Aku, has been set ablaze by hoodlums in the Gboko area of the state.

The late Aku was the first civilian Governor of the North Central state.

It was gathered that the incident was said to have happened on Monday after the occupants were safely evacuated from the building by the Police.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday in Markurdi, the daughter of the late governor, Deborah Aku, said the Police rescued six of them early enough before the hoodlums burnt down the house.

She explained that trouble began in March after a man came to the house with a cutlass and threatened to deal with them if his goat died again, claiming that he was told that his goat died after drinking water from their house.

Aku said her mother reported the incident to the Police Division in Gboko and the matter was later charged to court.

She, however, revealed that the fresh attack took place between 7 am and 8 am on Monday when the hoodlums besieged the house and trapped all six occupants.

She said: “The incident started between 7am and 8am on Monday. They came around and didn’t talk to anyone numbering over 30. When we noticed that their visit was not friendly we locked all the doors and called the Police.

“Before the Police could arrive they started destroying the house, killed our dog, broke into the pig house and carted away with all the pigs. They also destroyed our mother’s car.

“The Police arrived and were able to rescued us out of the house. We left with the Police with only what we were putting on. While we were on our way with the Police the house was burnt with everything inside. The Police came in two trucks but the boys were many and even attacked them too.

“Yesterday (Monday) when the incident happened the Police were only able to rescue us out of the house before it was burnt down. If not for them we would have probably being burnt inside the house. We were six inside the house.

“We are waiting for the Police to carry out their investigations. We have also reported the matter to all the relevant authorities including the governor and Speaker because this is his constituency.”

A man identified as Muhammed Zenabdin has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja.

He was arrested for criminal conspiracy and possession of suspected counterfeit currency amounting to one hundred thousand United States Dollars ($100,000.00).

While acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the NPF-NCCC conducted a raid on a suspected cybercrime hideout located in Garki II, FCT.

Despite the escape of other members of the criminal gang, Muhammed Zenabdin was successfully apprehended. Subsequent execution of a search warrant revealed compelling evidence, including One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars in one-hundred-dollar bills believed to be counterfeits, along with sophisticated counterfeit detection equipment, international passports, mobile phones, and a luxury vehicle.

Confirming the arrest to newsmen, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, says the suspect has provided indicting confessional statements and also offered valuable information to aid in the apprehension of other members of the gang. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect(s) will face arraignment in court.

Adejobi stated that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has commended the Director of the NCCC, CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry, and his team for their diligent efforts in combating cybercrime.

While assuring the public of their safety, the IGP issued a stern warning to all cybercrime threat actors, urging them to cease their illicit activities or face severe legal consequences.

A man, Austine Idemudia (a.k.a. Baba Joshua) and his wife, Margret Austine who have been illegally producing and distributing adulterated alcoholic beverages to markets in Lagos and Ogun states for the past 6 years have been arrested by the Zone 2 command of the Police force.

According to a press statement released by the Zone 2 Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), SP Ayuba T. Umma, the suspects were arrested by the CSP Ngozi Braide-led Raider Section of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos.

The operatives had acted on intelligence on the illegal production, and raided the couple's Muibi Olawumi Close residence, off Ayetoro/Itẹle Road on April 4, during which fake drinks, comprising wine, liquor, champagne and other alcoholic drinks, were recovered.

These include brand label of Del-Mud, Del-Mud Royal, Smooth Brandy Wine drinks, both in bottles and mini packs.

Also recovered, according to a were unlabeled and branded bottles of suspected adulterated alcoholic drinks and various containers, filled with mixtures suspected to be ingredients for the adulterated beverages.

The ZPPRO said that the equipment used in the production process, such as pumping machines, funnels, sealing machines, a funnel containing a white handkerchief (used as filter) and corkscrew, among various other production and branding items, were all recovered.

The female suspect, Margret, apprehended at the scene, confessed to a six-year involvement in the illegal operation, and that their adulterated finished products were sold to buyers across Lagos and Ogun states.

"The Zone 2 Command is actively investigating this case and will release further information to the general public as it becomes available", the ZPPRO said

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Olatoye Durosinmi, has consequently urged the public to be vigilant when purchasing food and beverages, while expressing concern over the health hazard such adulterated products pose to consumers.

According to the statement, "The Zone 2 Police Command remains committed to the safety and well-being of all residents within Lagos and Ogun states"

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Popular Kannywood actress, Saratu Gidado aka Daso is dead.

The actress died while fasting.

The sad news was confirmed by her relatives to Freedom Radio on Tuesday, revealing that the beloved actress was found deceased early in the morning.

Gidado, who was observing the Ramadan fast, had reportedly returned to bed after the pre-dawn meal, Sahur, only to be found lifeless later.

Her sudden passing at the age of 56 has sent shockwaves throughout the film community and among her fans.

Born on January 17, 1968, in Kano, Daso carved a niche for herself in Kannywood with her distinctive portrayal of comical yet aggressive and mischievous characters, earning her a place in the hearts of many movie enthusiasts.

Her career, spanning over two decades, was launched with her role in the 2000 movie “Linzami Da Wuta,” produced by Sarauniya Movies.

Daso’s remarkable performances in films such as “Nagari,” “Gidauniya,” “Mashi,” and “Sansani” cemented her status as one of the industry’s iconic figures. Her acting prowess and ability to bring characters to life made her a household name in the northern film industry.

The entertainment community and fans are awaiting the announcement of her burial arrangements as they come to terms with the loss of a talent who brought laughter and entertainment to many.

A date has been fixed for the arraignment of the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, son, and five others, for alleged bribery.

The Kano State High Court fixed April 17, 2024 for arraignment of Ganduje, his wife and son.

Ganduje and the others will be arraigned on eight counts bordering on a $413,000 bribery allegation, diversion, and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1.38bn, among others.

It was earlier reported that the Federal High Court in Kano ruled that the Kano Public Compliant and Anti-Corruption Commission lacks the power to investigate Ganduje over an alleged $5m bribery video.

Justice Abdullahi Liman, while delivering his judgment, said the offence was a federal offence that could be prosecuted by the Attorney General of the Federation and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Justice Liman said the Kano anti-graft agency had a limitation in investigating the former governor.

But on Monday, the state governor, Abba Yusuf, urged the EFCC to release the result of its probe into the alleged dollar bribery video involving Ganduje.

Yusuf, in a statement by his spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, said Ganduje should rather prepare to face his trial instead of talking about non-existent failure in the current administration.

“For whatever option, the Kano State Government would advise the acting National Chairman of APC to show cause why his name, that of his family, and the entire people of Kano should permanently be erased from the global embarrassment that the dollar video has generated,” he said.

However, in a writ of summon sighted by PUNCH Online on Tuesday, the Kano State Government, in a criminal suit, named Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited and Lesage General Enterprises as respondents and assembled 15 witnesses to appear before the court.

The case is fixed for April 17, 2024, before Justice Usman Na’aba of the state High Court Number Four.

Confirming the development to Daily Trust, the state Attorney General, Haruna Dederi, said the case has been filed, and all parties involved will be served accordingly.

“It is very true. We have filed the case but what I cannot confirm is whether he is served or not but he will definitely be served. What he (Ganduje) doesn’t understand is that you cannot run away from the evil day, it will definitely come to you and this will even serve as a deterrence to all of us.

“He was saying that we can’t prosecute him forgetting that the offence also falls under the category of the state offences. It’s not totally a federal affair,” he said.

Omobayo Godwins, the new deputy governor of Edo State has said his people asked him to leave the Labour Party (LP) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Recall that he was on April 8 sworn-in as deputy Governor of Edo State by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, after Philip Shaibu was impeached.

Appearing on Politics Today, later on Monday, April 8, Godwins said the people of Akoko Edo have always been his priority.

He said: “To be very frank with you, the Labour Party is not just a party but a movement I hold dearly. If I have the opportunity over and over, I will continue to thank them.

“It was LP that gave me the platform, but like I told you, what informed it (defection) is Akoko Edo. It is my major project and we are predominantly APC and PDP.

“I am happy that these six months or what you called seven months are okay for me. The governor has told me in clear terms — we have discussed some critical issues and I have given him a needs assessment of our people.

“I may not be able to do so much but I will make an impact that the people of Akoko Edo and Edo north will remember me for.”