killings of 259 cattle spark rising tension as attack on herders escalate across Gwer West, Guma in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

Fresh tension is building in Benue State following coordinated attacks on Fulani herders and the killing of hundreds of cattle in Gwer West and Guma Local Government Areas, in incidents that could trigger another cycle of violence if not urgently addressed.

According to field reports made available to Zagazola Makama, heavily armed men, alleged by herder associations to be members of local security outfits, supported by local security outfits, launched multiple assaults on pastoral communities since Nov. 12, killing an estimated 259 cattle in two separate attacks.

The first incident occurred near Naka in Gwer West LGA, where the government backed security outfits operating on motorcycles and vehicles reportedly targeted herders grazing peacefully in the area. The cattle owners Abdullahi Musa said 50 of his cattle were killed, Wakili Musa another harder said 51 of his livestock were killed while Maibargo Abubakar lost 21 of his cattle in the ambush without any provocation.

Multiple Witnesses said the attackers transported the carcasses of the killed animals into Naka town in broad daylight, where they were seen celebrating. Some of the community members described the attack as “deliberate provocation aimed at escalating ethnic tensions.”

A second attack was recorded the same day behind Okohol village near Ikpam in Guma LGA, where another group of armed men reportedly killed 137 cattle belonging to Alhaji Anaruwa Yongo and his brother. Several carcasses were reportedly removed from the scene while others remained littered across the grazing area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that military personnel deployed in the affected corridors visited some of the locations after the incidents and confirmed the attacks. Security operatives, however, have not issued an official statement on the attacks while government of Benue remained mum.

Leaders of pastoralist communities described the Benue incidents as part of a “recurring, underreported pattern” of attacks on Fulani herders in several states, including Enugu, Niger and Kebbi. They accuse some local authorities of quietly supporting armed groups that target pastoralists, while only issuing statements when reprisals occur.

Community representatives further allege that despite repeated reports and identification of perpetrators in past incidents, the Benue State Government has not taken concrete steps to halt the killings, creating what they describe as “a climate of impunity that encourages attacks.”
They warn that the continued silence from state actors, coupled with worsening hostilities, risks sparking a renewed wave of communal violence.

They appealed for urgent intervention from federal security agencies, including Defense Headquarters and the Office of the National Security Adviser, to prevent further escalation.
They also called for an impartial investigation into the killings, protection for vulnerable herders, and proactive engagement with community leaders to avert retaliatory attacks.

They described the situation as “a ticking time bomb” and urged the Federal Government to address what they see as a widening security gap that could destabilize the region if left unchecked.

killings of 259 cattle spark rising tension as attack on herders escalate across Gwer West, Guma in Benue

Controversial Air Peace Runway Incursion Report: NEFGAD Calls for the Sack of NSIB DG

By: Michael Mike

Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a civic organisation, has asked President Bola Tinubu to sack with immediate effect the Director General of the Nigerian Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mr Alex Badeh Jr. over the recent controversy surrounding the toxicology report.

NEFGAD, during a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, said the recent controversy surrounding the toxicology report released by the Nigerian Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and the subsequent strong denial issued by Air Peace, has further deepened concerns about the credibility, professionalism, and operational integrity of the Bureau under its current leadership and the need to call on President Bola Tinubu to sack with immediate effect, the Director General of the NSIB Mr Alex Badeh Jr, to pave the way for thorough investigation in a bid to restore public confidence in the air safety agency.

NEFGAD made the call through its acting head of office Barrister Unekwu Blessing Ojo, who during the press conference emphasized NEFGAD’s position as a critical stakeholder in the aviation sector committed to transparency, accountability, and public safety within Nigeria’s aviation sector expressing profound disappointment in the manner the highly sensitive investigation into the July 2024 runway incursion incident by an Air Peace aircraft was being handled by the NSIB.

She maintained that NSIB is an aviation watchdog whose investigation requires utmost precision, neutrality, and scientific rigour, stressing that any lapse, real or perceived – undermines public trust and jeopardises the confidence of both domestic and international partners in Nigeria’s air safety oversight.

She stated that the conflicting narratives and the lack of clarity from a report issued by the NSIB itself months after the incidents and series of counter claims from Air Peace is troubling and entirely allien to the Nigerian aviation sector, particularly to the operations of the Bureau since inception until Mr Badeh Jr became the Bureau’s Director General, and this has raised legitimate doubts about the Bureau’s internal processes, its adherence to global best practices, and its ability to professionally discharge its statutory mandate.

She noted that at this critical moment, Nigeria an aspiring nation working hard to ensure the air safety of its citizens and attract investment confidence globally cannot afford an aviation investigative body whose operation and leadership inspires controversy rather than confidence.

She said: “In view of the foregoing, the group call for the immediate resignation of the Director-General of the NSIB. This action is essential to restore public trust, protect the integrity of ongoing and future investigations, and pave the way for a transparent review of the Bureau’s operational standards.

“NEFGAD further urge the President to initiate an independent assessment of the NSIB – its leadership structure, investigative protocols, and quality control mechanisms using the Airpeace runway incursion as a test case and ensure that the agency is repositioned for credible, world-class performance.”

NEFGAD vowed mass and possible legal action should Mr Badeh fails to accede to its request to resign, insisting that Nigeria’s aviation safety institutions must operate above reproach and its leadership accountability non-negotiable.

Controversial Air Peace Runway Incursion Report: NEFGAD Calls for the Sack of NSIB DG

NAPPS decries multiple taxation in Adamawa, urges review

Nigeria Associate of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Adamawa Chapter has decried on multiple taxations by the State and Local government councils and urged review for education development in the state.

Malam Muhammad Musa, Chapter Chairman, stated this at the NAPPS Day 2025 and magazine lunching in Yola on Saturday with the theme “working the talk to build collaboration between the government and private education sector”.

He appreciated the state government commitment for the development of education in the state and urged for the review of local government taxes.

According to him, before private schools were paying N10,000 as a tax and now some LGAs jack it up to N150,000.

He added that the operation of private schools is not a business but provides services for education development in the state and country.

Musa said, NAPPS is the umbrella for all private schools and urged members to be united and cooperate with the ministry of education to succeed.

In his remarks, Malam Mustapha Midawa, Registre, Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola congratulated the Association and appreciated them for their contribution to education development in the state.

He urged NAPPS members to encourage their students to get all the requirements for admission into MAU as they were now offering all courses.

Mr Hassan Hassan, Area Commander National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Jimeta expressed the agency confidence that the synergy between the agency and NAPPS would pave the way for sensitising students on the danger of drug abuse.

Hassan, represented by Timothy Urum, Assistant Superintendent Narcotic said, the agency has been committed to ensure that the rate of drug abuse is eradicated in the state.

He said they were always ready to embark on sensitisation and awareness creation to pupils and students to understand the effect of drug abuse that led some young people to commit a crime.

The NAPPS also presented an award to some philanthropists for their outstanding performance in sponsoring orphans, scholarship and support to education development in the state.

NAPPS decries multiple taxation in Adamawa, urges review