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JUST IN: Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Fresh Benue, Plateau Killings

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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the latest wave of killings in Benue and Plateau states, describing the attacks as heartbreaking and unacceptable.

In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, the former Anambra State governor lamented the killing of at least 16 people in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State, as well as the murder of nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Obi called for a more proactive, intelligence-driven security strategy to curb the persistent violence, insisting that the government must move beyond reacting to attacks after they occur.

The weekend attacks also claimed two additional lives in Akpachi village, Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area, bringing the death toll in Benue to at least 18.

In Plateau State, community sources said the victims, all members of one family, were killed on Saturday night when gunmen invaded the Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area.

Reacting to the incidents, Obi said the latest killings underscored the country’s prolonged security crisis.

“The reported murders are a painful reminder that the relentless cycle of bloodshed in parts of our country has persisted for far too long,” he said.

“For years, families in Benue, Plateau and other communities across Nigeria have lived under the constant shadow of fear, violence and displacement. Mothers have buried their children, children have become orphans overnight, farmers have abandoned their lands, and entire communities have been left devastated. We cannot continue to accept this tragic cycle as though it were normal. It is not.

“The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. Every Nigerian life is sacred, and every life lost is one too many. These are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams have been violently cut short,” he said.

Obi urged authorities to replace routine condemnations with decisive action by strengthening the country’s security framework.

“The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack. Nigerians deserve a security architecture that is proactive rather than reactive, driven by intelligence, rapid response and accountability. Those responsible for these atrocities must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. The culture of impunity must end,” he added.

He also sympathised with the bereaved families and the governments of Benue and Plateau states, praying for comfort for those grieving and speedy recovery for those injured.

“This is not about politics; it is about humanity. We must summon the collective will to secure our nation and restore hope to our people. No country can develop when its citizens live in fear, and no society can prosper when innocent blood continues to flow unchecked,” Obi said.

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Action Alliance gives INEC 48 hours to add omitted candidates to 2027 List

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The Action Alliance (AA) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 48 hours to review its published list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, alleging that the names of its candidates were omitted.

The party made the demand in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Chairman, Chief Barrister Kenneth Udeze.

According to Udeze, the party wants INEC to publish a revised list that includes candidates nominated by the National Executive Committee under his leadership.

“The Court of Appeal has affirmed the legitimacy of the leadership under my chairmanship, yet candidates validly nominated by our National Executive Committee were omitted from the list published by INEC,” Udeze said.

AA argued that the omission contravened the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 governing the publication of candidates submitted by political parties.

According to the statement, the party’s candidates emerged through primaries conducted within the timelines prescribed by law and should therefore be reflected in the published list.

The party urged INEC to urgently review the publication and correct what it described as an omission.

“We are giving INEC 48 hours to correct this omission. If our concerns are not addressed, we will explore all legal remedies available to us. We also urge civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders to closely monitor developments surrounding this matter,” Udeze said.

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ISWAP suffers major blow as troops capture informant, rescue 34 kidnap victims

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Troops of the Nigerian Army have in the last 24 hours, rescued 34 kidnap victims, apprehended suspected ISWAP informants and recovered arms, ammunition in coordinated operations nationwide.

This is contained in an operational report made available on Sunday.

The report said that troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 31 kidnap victims from terrorists along the Buratai-Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

It said the rescue followed a swift response after troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion detected ISWAP/JAS terrorists abducting civilians from four vehicles through CCTV surveillance.

According to the report, troops immediately deployed a quick reaction force, engaged the terrorists and forced them to abandon the victims and flee with one motorcycle left behind.

“In another operation, troops of 145 Battalion conducted a fighting patrol to the Turoh general area of Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area.

“The terrorists reportedly fled on sighting the troops, leaving behind two motorcycles and illicit drugs recovered during exploitation of the area.

“Also, troops of 232 Battalion Tactical apprehended a suspected ISWAP informant at Garaha Market in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa,” it said.

In the North-West, the report revealed that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists moving with rustled cattle in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara.

It added that the troops’ superior fire power forced the terrorists to withdraw in disarray during the encounter.

The report also revealed that troops of Operation MESA rescued a kidnapped woman and her two children along the old Obajana-Jakura-Tajimi road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi.

According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted on July 29 from a Ruga settlement in the Gada-Biyu area of the same local government.

“In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to reports of an attack on a herder in Bassa Local Government Area.

“The assailants had fled before the troops arrived, while the deceased and recovered cattle were handed over to the victim’s family,” it added.

In the South-East, the report said the troops of Operation UDO KA recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of three suspected terrorists linked to the ambush of troops in Imo on May 4.

It added that the operation, conducted in Delta and Imo States, followed intelligence obtained from earlier arrested suspects.

According to the report, troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, one FN rifle, a pistol, 11 AK-47 magazines, two FN magazines, 239 rounds of assorted ammunition, a fragmentation jacket and other military items from terrorist camps.

“The recovered weapons included rifles earlier carted away during the May ambush on troops, while further exploitation led to the discovery of another terrorist camp containing additional arms and ammunition,” it said. 

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