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Mining Tragedy in Benue: Chinese and Nigerian Firms Accused of Fueling Destruction of Local Communities

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Chinese companies, or those with ties to them, are not the sole parties responsible for the numerous human rights abuses taking place at Benue State’s mining sites. Benue State, often referred to as Nigeria’s food basket, is rapidly emerging as a key location for valuable minerals such as lithium, zinc, iron, fluorite, lead, and gold. These minerals are crucial to the global transition to renewable energy.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

However, beneath the rush to exploit these resources lies a grim reality: rampant insecurity, environmental destruction, and countless human casualties. Agricultural lands are being swallowed up, communities are being displaced by armed groups, water sources are becoming contaminated, and local populations are suffering health issues and even losing their lives as a result of unregulated mining activities.

One of the most heartbreaking stories is that of 70-year-old Moses Tyar, whose son, Vincent Kananfe, tragically lost his life after being trapped in a collapsing mining pit. This incident is one of many tragic outcomes caused by the lack of oversight in the state’s mining industry.

On November 15, 2024, 28-year-old Kananfe, a local miner from Tombu Ward in Logo Local Government Area, visited his father before heading to work at a nearby mining site in the Ayilamo community. Ayilamo lies about 227 kilometers from Makurdi, the state capital, near the border with Taraba State.

That morning, Kananfe had plans to excavate sand to build his house. He handed his young child over to the family before setting out on his motorbike, saying, “See you later.” Just hours later, the family received devastating news: Kananfe had been trapped in a mining pit collapse. His elder brother, Avalumun, who was with him at the site, described the moment as a chilling premonition. “We noticed that the pit was unstable,” Avalumun recalled. “Kananfe even said he didn’t feel safe working there. As we were about to leave, he pointed at a large rock and said, ‘It looks like that stone is shaking.’ Before he could get away, the boulder came crashing down on him.”

After hearing only two faint hums, Avalumun said the pit fell silent. “I waved my hand over his face, but he was already gone,” he said tearfully. Hours later, Kananfe’s body was recovered after the rock was blasted away.

Seeking closure, Mr. Tyar went to the site, but was blocked by security personnel. “They told me the pits were too dangerous to approach,” he said. “They warned me that I could die if I went near it.”

The next day, Kananfe’s body was returned to the family, and he was laid to rest. His wife, Mmenshima, is still struggling with the trauma of his loss, her mother-in-law shared. “She hasn’t been able to sleep since his death. She wakes up every night, screaming, ‘It’s not happening,’” she said. When asked about her late husband, Mmenshima could only cry uncontrollably.

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Betrayal Exposed? Faction Demands Police Probe Into Fraudulent Leadership Claims Sent To INEC!.

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The legal firm Ogbeide Associates, representing a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, requesting a formal investigation into PDP secretary Samuel Anyanwu and factional National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Key aspects of the petition include:

  • Allegations of False Representation: The petition challenges a November 3, 2025, letter sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which falsely claimed that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) had replaced acting national chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum with Mohammed.

  • Contradictory NWC Records: Petitioners assert that the NWC’s November 1, 2025, emergency meeting actually resulted in the suspension of Anyanwu and three other officers due to alleged anti-party activities, and no record exists to support the claim that Damagum was suspended or Mohammed appointed.

  • Legal Precedents: The lawyers referenced an October 10, 2024, Federal High Court judgment that recognizes Damagum as the acting national chairman and prohibits INEC from accepting documents without his signature. Furthermore, they noted that the Court of Appeal upheld the NWC’s suspension of Anyanwu on March 9, 2026.

  • Call for Institutional Review: The petitioners have requested that the IGP investigate how INEC processed the contested November 3 letter despite being aware of the existing court orders and the NWC’s official resolutions.

  • Stated Objective: Counsel for the petitioner emphasized that the action is intended to address the integrity of public institutions and prevent the use of misleading internal party documentation, noting their readiness to provide supporting court judgments and party records to the police.

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The Drama Of 2026! Turkey Goes Home Fighting While Ivory Coast And Australia Advance to Knockouts!

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  • Turkey vs. USA: Despite Turkey securing a dramatic 3-2 victory—their first World Cup win since 2002—they were eliminated from the tournament. The USA, despite the loss, qualified for the Round of 32 and is set to face Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 2.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

    • Ivory Coast’s Historic Qualification: Ivory Coast advanced to the knockout stage for the first time in their history after defeating Curacao 2-0, with Nicolas Pepe scoring both goals. This result secured them second place in Group E with six points.

    • Australia and Paraguay: Australia qualified for the Round of 32 as Group D runners-up following a 0-0 draw with Paraguay. Paraguay’s result keeps them in contention to progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

    • Sweden and Japan: Sweden earned a 1-1 draw against Japan, with Anthony Elanga’s strike securing them a spot in the knockout stage as one of the best third-place finishers. Japan advanced as the runners-up of Group F.

    • Netherlands vs. Tunisia: The Netherlands defeated Tunisia 3-1, confirming their position at the top of Group F. The Dutch will face Morocco in the next round, while Tunisia was eliminated after failing to earn a point in their three group matches.

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Police Declare War On ‘Keyboard Warriors’! Threaten Crackdown On Spreaders Of Fake Security News!.

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a stern warning to media professionals, social media users, and the general public, advising against the dissemination of unverified information that could jeopardize national security and active operations by security agencies.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Need for Discretion: Force Public Relations Officer, Iniedu Anietie Okokon, emphasized that the sensitivity of security operations requires restraint and discretion rather than the sharing of misleading or unverified details.

  • Operational Silence: Okokon stated that he prefers maintaining “operational silence” to prevent the spread of false information.

  • Criticism of “Keyboard Warriors”: The spokesperson criticized “keyboard warriors” for commenting on complex security matters without understanding the realities of tactical deployments and strategic operations.

  • Impact on Security: Such uninformed commentary can distort public perception and undermine efforts to combat crime.

  • Media Responsibility: Okokon urged journalists and content creators to act responsibly and avoid allowing their platforms to be used to propagate subversive ideologies or dissident narratives.

  • Call for Verification: Given the rapid spread of unverified information online, the police have reaffirmed their commitment to public safety and urged all Nigerians to verify facts before sharing them.

The Force further noted that many critics fail to acknowledge the daily sacrifices made by police officers in their mission to safeguard citizens’ lives and property.

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