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Before Kwara, Kogi “Kiss” Plateau — Benue Under a Cloud of Death
MAKURDI, Nigeria — Violence and attacks are spreading fast across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, pushing Benue into a dangerous “cloud of death” long seen in Plateau State. Now, Kwara and Kogi appear ready to be drawn in.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In recent weeks, communities in Plateau and Benue states have faced mass killings, abductions, and property destruction. According to rights groups, over 6,896 people have died in Benue since 2023, making it one of the hardest hit states. In Plateau, at least 2,630 lives have been lost in this period.
The violence has been linked mostly to banditry, armed groups, and farmer-herder clashes. Many rural areas now live in fear. The attacks often come without warning, leaving residents with no time to flee.
Benue: Under Siege
In Benue, entire villages have been attacked, homes burnt, and farmlands destroyed. In Ukum and Logo local government areas, gunmen struck communities, leaving many dead and displacing inhabitants.
Agriculture in the state has taken a heavy blow. A recent academic study shows insecurity caused crop and livestock output to drop sharply. Many farmers say they cannot go to their farms for fear of attack, and markets are starving for produce.
Plateau’s Wound Continues
Plateau State has a long history of violent conflict between farming and herding communities. In early April, coordinated attacks struck several communities in Bokkos Local Government, leaving scores dead.
With security weak, many villages are now empty as people flee to towns or to states perceived to be safer.
Kwara, Kogi: Next on the Line
While Benue and Plateau are bleeding, signs now point to Kwara and Kogi as new targets.
In Kwara, claims emerged that bandits have taken control of nine local government areas. The government denied it, saying the information is false.
Also in Kwara, recent attacks have killed and abducted residents in vulnerable communities
Kogi is also under stress. Gunmen recently killed police officers and a passerby, and a vigilante commander was in turn targeted.
These incidents suggest that the violence may be “kissing” — or creeping into — states that until now had been relatively safer.
Why the Spread?
Experts say the government’s slow response and weak security structures are partly to blame. In many rural areas, locals feel abandoned. They say security forces arrive too late or not at all.
The cycle of impunity is strong: many attacks go unresolved, and few culprits are caught. This heightens fear and allows more violence to spread.
Pressure is also rising from population displacement. In Benue and Plateau, tens of thousands have been displaced. Some are moving toward Kogi and Kwara, seeking refuge. Their arrival could stretch already fragile security systems.
What Must Be Done
To stop the spread, experts and civil society call for:
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Stronger, faster response by security forces to early warning signs
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Community policing and intelligence gathering in vulnerable communities
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Justice for victims, to break impunity
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Support for displaced persons, including shelter and food
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Security guard plans for farms, so rural life can resume
Nigeria’s Middle Belt is at a crossroads. If nothing is done, the violence in Benue and Plateau will not remain there — Kwara and Kogi may soon feel the same devastating “cloud.”
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Work in Progress: Maresca Admits Champions League Giants Still Have Massive Gaps Despite Opening Day Thriller!.
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has acknowledged that his squad remains a work in progress despite kicking off their Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over Bournemouth.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Late strikes from Marc Guéhi and Joško Gvardiol turned the match around at the Etihad Stadium after Bournemouth applied steady pressure. Although the result brought home three points, Maresca stressed that the performance did not alter his overall perspective following their earlier Community Shield setback against Arsenal, noting that the team is still actively seeking the right tactical combinations.
“To be honest, I feel in the same position we were after Arsenal,” Maresca noted, explaining that testing new setups—such as utilizing centre-back Guéhi in midfield—is part of finding necessary solutions.
The manager also pointed out a significant physical disparity within his squad, mentioning that several core players only returned to training roughly ten days prior to the fixture, leaving them behind opponents who had a full pre-season.
Premier League Matchday 1 Results
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Arsenal 3-0 Coventry City
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Hull City 2-0 Manchester United
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Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland
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Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace
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Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds United
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Brentford 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur
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Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth
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Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 Aston Villa
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Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool
Pending fixture: Fulham vs Chelsea
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The Phantom Bureau: How A Fake Federal Agency Coaxed Governors Into Handing Over Land And Cash
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recently uncovered a fraudulent organization posing as a federal government body without presidential backing, prompting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the suspension of three high-ranking officials connected to the scheme and the arrest of its coordinator.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The entity, operating under the banner of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, falsely claimed affiliation with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) to solicit financial support, land allocations, and institutional collaboration from multiple state governors.
According to details revealed by ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu following a briefing with the President, the group utilized official-looking documents bearing presidency insignia—including appointment letters and formal correspondence—to approach state administrations between January and February. Headed by its promoter, Nwabueze George, the rogue organization targeted several state executives:
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Lagos State: Sent a “Third Reminder” letter addressed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to request the nomination of a state coordinator under the guise of boosting local production and small businesses.
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Edo State: Requested authorization and payment fees amounting to thousands of dollars per participant for an upcoming international engagement in Bahrain, directing funds into designated commercial bank accounts.
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Nasarawa State: Sought backing to host a national stakeholders’ meeting in Lafia aimed at formally launching its nationwide executive structure.
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Ondo State: Reached out to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to demand physical land allocations for a proposed “Made in Nigeria Product Market” hub.
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Imo State: Invited Governor Hope Uzodimma as a special guest while concurrently requesting financial contributions to cover logistics, accommodation, and conference expenses.
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Sokoto State: Approached Governor Ahmad Aliyu to secure state participation in upcoming trade and agricultural exhibitions across Bahrain and Azerbaijan under the pretense of boosting non-oil exports.
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President Tinubu Renews Appointments In NTA, NAN
President Bola Tinubu has approved the renewal of Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos’s tenure as the Director-General of the National Television Authority (NTA). Additionally, the President extended the appointment of Ali Mohammed Ali as the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Both leadership extensions span an additional three-year term, with their new tenure officially commencing on October 20, 2026.
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Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos: Hailing from Yola, Adamawa State, Dembos is a former National President of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Art Workers Union (RATTAWU). Having joined the NTA as an announcer in Kaduna following his national service in 1989, he advanced through various leadership roles—including General Manager in Lokoja and Kano—before retiring as acting Zonal Director for the NTA Kaduna Network Centre in 2017, prior to his initial appointment.
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Ali Mohammed Ali: Bringing over three decades of experience as a veteran journalist and media strategist, Ali focuses heavily on digital media evolution and content diversification to cater to modern audiences. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Bayero University, Kano, a graduate degree in International Affairs from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communications from Bayero University, Kano.
In confirming these updates, the presidency urged both executives to maintain strong dedication to their organizational mandates while helping advance the federal administration’s policy objectives.
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