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Ebonyi Communal Clash: Activist Calls On NSA, NHRC To Step In.
Rights activist Maduabuchi Idam has raised serious concerns over what he described as a continued “unlawful, Gestapo-style” security crackdown in the Amasiri communities of Ebonyi State under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, calling on the Federal Government to intervene immediately.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Idam said he had initially submitted a petition on February 9, 2026, highlighting the situation, but alleged that no action had been taken, prompting him to issue a renewed alert to the relevant authorities. The petition was addressed to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The activist explained that tensions in the area followed an attack on Oso Edda on January 29, 2026, which reportedly left four people dead. He claimed that the Amasiri communities were wrongly blamed for the incident despite repeatedly denying involvement.
Since the attack, Idam alleged that residents have been subjected to extensive security operations, including the deployment of military personnel, resulting in civilian casualties and major disruption to daily life. He added that schools and healthcare facilities have been closed, homes destroyed, and some traditional rulers and political leaders arrested or removed from office.
A curfew imposed on January 31 remains in effect, strictly enforced by security operatives. Idam also expressed concern over reports that the state government had bolstered military presence and issued directives that shrines and ancestral homes could be demolished if alleged severed heads linked to the Oso Edda attack were not produced.
Describing these actions as disturbing, Idam argued that the measures amount to collective punishment of civilians for allegations that have not been properly investigated or adjudicated in court. He urged the Federal Government, ONSA, NHRC, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to intervene to protect lives and property in the affected communities.
He also warned Nigerians not to remain silent, cautioning against the potential destruction of innocent civilian communities over crimes they have neither been investigated for nor convicted of.
In the petition, Idam reiterated that his earlier communication on the matter had gone unaddressed. “Since the attack on Oso Edda on January 29, 2026, which claimed four lives, Amasiri communities, despite denying involvement, have been accused, targeted, and subjected to collective punishment without a fair hearing,” the petition stated.
He further noted that the ultimatum reportedly issued by the state government demanding severed heads indicates that authorities have found no incriminating evidence in the communities. According to Idam, the ongoing military operations resemble retaliatory measures rather than legitimate security actions conducted after proper investigation, trial, or conviction.
Idam called on the Federal Government and other relevant bodies to compel Governor Nwifuru to halt any plans to demolish shrines, prevent further destruction of homes, and stop actions that could lead to additional loss of innocent lives without a valid court order. He stressed that urgent intervention is needed to avert further damage to the affected communities.
The activist also criticised what he described as the governor’s “Gestapo-style” handling of the situation, insisting that any plans to destroy shrines must cease, noting that freedom of religion is a constitutional right that must not be violated by the state.
According to Nivo News, the General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has declared what he described as divine judgment on bandits and their alleged sponsors responsible for insecurity across parts of Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking on Sunday at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, during a sermon themed “Covenant Day of Vengeance,” Oyedepo stated that those behind killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks would face divine retribution. He further claimed that within the next seven days, consequences would begin to manifest against those he accused of fueling unrest in the country, assuring worshippers that the coming week would be marked by “testimonies of vengeance.”
He was quoted as saying that judgment had been pronounced on individuals responsible for such acts and their supporters, adding that the outcome he referenced would unfold within a week.
In a related remark during a recent midweek service, Oyedepo also acknowledged the presence of fraudsters within and outside religious spaces, warning that his identity and images were being exploited for fraudulent schemes. He urged members of his congregation to remain vigilant and committed to truth to avoid falling victim to scams involving impersonation.
He recounted a case where an individual allegedly posed as him in an attempt to defraud unsuspecting victims, noting that such incidents highlight the growing sophistication of fraudulent activities.
A political disagreement has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State following Governor Abdullahi Sule’s reported endorsement of Senator Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the move has sparked tension between the governor and his predecessor, Umar Tanko Al-Makura, who faulted the decision, describing it as premature and not properly consulted within party structures.
Al-Makura, a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape, expressed displeasure that he only became aware of the endorsement through media reports. He argued that the decision should have involved wider consultation, warning that such early endorsements could undermine internal party processes.
He further noted that the APC had not begun its formal nomination process, insisting that declaring support for a candidate at this stage was inappropriate and ahead of schedule.
The controversy was further heightened by former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, who is also aspiring for the APC governorship ticket. He rejected the endorsement, stating that no individual has the authority to impose a candidate, and reaffirmed his intention to contest in the party primaries.
In response, Governor Sule, through his media aide, defended the endorsement, stating that it was consistent with political traditions in the state. He referenced past succession arrangements, including Al-Makura’s own endorsement of him, arguing that the current process was in line with established practice but being conducted more transparently.
The governor’s camp clarified that Senator Wadada remains a preferred aspirant and not the party’s official candidate.
Senator Wadada, reacting to the development, called for calm among party members, describing the situation as part of normal political competition. He also downplayed tensions with other aspirants, noting that the contest should be seen as a democratic process.
Meanwhile, support for Adamu continues to grow in parts of Nasarawa South, where youths, women, and stakeholders have openly backed his ambition, alongside broader endorsements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Adamu, however, maintained that he remains firmly in the race, accusing some political actors of inconsistency in the unfolding succession dynamics.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has described as unnecessary the denial issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) regarding an invitation allegedly extended to him for the groundbreaking ceremony of an ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the Sultan’s media team maintained that an official invitation was duly sent to His Eminence requesting his attendance as Royal Father of the Day. The statement explained that the event also listed key dignitaries, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as Distinguished Guest of Honour, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu as Mother of the Day.
The Sultan’s office emphasised that his participation in the proposed Christian event would promote interfaith harmony, noting his role as Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). It added that globally, religious leaders often engage in events outside their faith traditions as part of efforts to encourage unity and peaceful coexistence.
The response follows an earlier clarification from CAN, which denied issuing any invitation to the Sultan and stated that the document circulating in public was not from the association. CAN further explained that the communication in question originated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and insisted that it had no involvement in inviting the Sultan to the event.
While acknowledging that the SGF’s office was linked to the invitation process, the Sultan’s media team expressed concern over CAN’s denial, describing it as unnecessary and capable of creating misunderstanding, especially since the Sultan did not request to attend the ceremony.
The statement also urged religious bodies to focus on messages that strengthen unity and promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
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