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Fields Turn to Graveyards: Benue Community Crushed by Herdsmen Violence”

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The Ochetoha K’Idoma, a leading socio-cultural group of the Idoma Nation, has raised alarm over the surge in kidnappings, herdsmen attacks, and violent crimes plaguing Otukpo and surrounding communities. The group warned that these escalating threats have severely disrupted farming activities and instilled widespread fear among residents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to Arewa PUNCH, this concern featured prominently during discussions at the 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), which focused on the deteriorating security situation across Idoma land.

“The time for silence is over,” the communiqué declared.
“We must come together to defend our land and demand accountability from the government for the protection of our people.”

On youth leadership, the AGM nullified the recent election held by a faction of the Ochetoha Youth Wing, branding it illegal and contrary to the national executive’s directives. A new, inclusive election was ordered to be conducted within the next quarter.

Other key resolutions included:

  • Expanding the digital presence of the organisation.

  • Launching a 10-year socio-political and economic roadmap.

  • Reviving development blueprints proposed at the 2023 Ogiri Okoh Memorial Lecture.

The outgoing executive committee was commended for its years of dedicated service. It was also resolved that the 2026 Delegate Conference will be hosted by the Minna chapter, while the 2027 AGM will take place in Zaria.

The communiqué also stressed several critical areas:

  • Unity Among Idomas: The AGM emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration as vital to the Idoma people’s collective advancement.

  • Funding Support: The body appreciated the financial contributions from Idoma sons and daughters both at home and abroad, encouraging all branches to continue supporting the development of the Idoma Nation.

  • Development Priorities: It reiterated the need to pursue key initiatives from the 2023 Ogiri Okoh Lecture. The new executive was tasked with forming a committee to oversee and track progress on these goals.

The AGM concluded with the election of new national leaders to pilot the affairs of the organisation, reaffirming its commitment to the growth, security, and prosperity of Idoma land.

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World Bank Must Apologize To Nigerians Or Face Lawsuit – Mahdi Shehu Warns.

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A public commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has urged the World Bank to issue an apology to Nigerians over alleged delays in the approval and release of loans, warning that failure to do so could result in legal action.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Shehu made the remark on Sunday in a post on X, responding to reports that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration had expressed concern over difficulties in accessing already approved loans.

He argued that Nigeria has remained a consistent borrower while the World Bank continues to act as a willing lender, describing the situation as troubling.

“Nigeria is a serial willing borrower and the World Bank a serial loan giver,” he stated.

Shehu further suggested that the delay in disbursing funds appears questionable, alleging it could be a calculated move to undermine the country’s economic stability and recovery.

“Delay in disbursing approved loans appears to be a deliberate sabotage against a stabilized and fully recovered economy and polity,” he said.

He also ridiculed the situation, noting that it was unusual for a country eager to borrow to be issuing warnings to a lender.

“A situation where an ever willing loan seeker is warning an ever willing loan giver must be recorded by the Guinness Book of Records,” he added.

Shehu went on to demand an apology from the World Bank, cautioning that refusal could lead to a class action suit at the International Court of Justice.

“The World Bank must apologize to all Nigerians for the delay which will affect our comfort level, otherwise we will file a class action at the World Court of Justice,” he said.

He stressed that once legal action is initiated, there would be no room for an out-of-court settlement.

“And the moment we file against them, there will be no room for out-of-court settlement,” he added.

He also noted that the legal team would be led by the Attorney General, Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, describing him as competent and patriotic.

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Security Alert: NCCSALW Urges Corps Members To Avoid Armed Confrontations.

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The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), North Central Zone, has urged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to avoid engaging armed individuals or involving themselves in community disputes, as part of ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity and curb the spread of illegal weapons.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Centre advised corps members to maintain neutrality and report any security threats through proper channels, including security agencies and NYSC Local Government Inspectors.

This warning was given during a sensitisation and advocacy programme held for 2,484 corps members of Batch ‘A’ Stream II at the Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State.

The programme, led by the Zonal Assistant Director of Support Services, Lt. Col. O.K. Olagunju, educated corps members from Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the dangers posed by the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs), as well as their responsibility in promoting peace and national security.

Lt. Col. Olagunju explained that small arms refer to weapons operated by a single individual, such as pistols, rifles and AK-47s, while light weapons are used by small groups and include machine guns and grenade launchers.

He noted that the widespread availability of illegal weapons continues to drive terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and communal clashes across the country.

According to him, the spread of SALWs is fueled by factors such as illegal cross-border trafficking, theft of arms from security operatives, local fabrication, and ongoing conflicts within and outside Nigeria.

He warned that the unchecked proliferation of illicit weapons threatens national unity, economic stability, and sustainable development, especially as young people are increasingly targeted for recruitment into violent groups.

Lt. Col. Olagunju encouraged corps members to act as peace ambassadors in their host communities by promoting harmony, engaging in public awareness campaigns, and reporting suspicious activities to security authorities.

He also revealed that the Federal Government established the NCCSALW in 2021 through a Presidential Order to strengthen arms control efforts, with legal backing later reinforced in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He added that the Centre, operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser and led by DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, is responsible for coordinating arms control policies, sensitisation campaigns, and the recovery and destruction of illegal weapons.

The programme also included an interactive session where corps members asked questions on weapon classification and proper reporting procedures.

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Political Tension Builds As Cross River ADC Confirms Readiness For Primaries Soon.

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The newly formed executive committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State has said it is fully prepared to conduct its primaries to select candidates for the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The newly elected state chairman, Dr. John Ogar, stated that the party still has enough time to sell nomination forms, urging interested aspirants to quickly visit the party secretariat to obtain theirs.

He made this known in Calabar shortly after the state congress, where a 37-member executive committee was elected through consensus.

Ogar noted that recent defections within the party have been minimal, adding that only one member of the new executive has left.

He also criticized politicians who advocate unity and strong opposition but later abandon coalitions for personal interests.

According to him, committed and loyal members of the party remain firmly on ground, insisting that the ADC in the state is intact and united.

He further pledged to strengthen and reposition the party, dismissing claims of internal factionalization.

Ogar maintained that the congress was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and was supported by a court ruling affirming the authority of the state executive to organize congresses.

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