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Mining Tragedy in Benue: Chinese and Nigerian Firms Accused of Fueling Destruction of Local Communities
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.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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