News
FG, Benue, UNHCR Partner to Deliver Life-Saving Support to 100,000 Displaced Persons
FG, Benue, UNHCR Partner to Deliver Life-Saving Support to 100,000 Displaced Persons
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government, the Benue State Government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have agreed on a coordinated intervention to deliver urgent life-saving and protection support to communities affected by violence and displacement in Benue State.
The agreement was formalised following a meeting witnessed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, during which letters were exchanged between the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and UNHCR’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Arjun Jain.
The initiative, supported through the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund, is expected to directly benefit about 100,000 people in Guma and Makurdi Local Government Areas, with many more indirectly supported through improved protection systems and preventive security measures.
Speaking on the partnership, the Minister said the intervention reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting Nigerians affected by conflict and displacement.
According to him, the collaboration will ensure that vulnerable families receive urgent assistance while advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at restoring safety, dignity and stability to affected communities.
He added that the intervention will focus on three priority areas, including the provision of protection-based life-saving assistance for displaced populations, support for relocating families from camps to safer settlements, and the installation of solar-powered lighting systems to strengthen security in vulnerable communities.
The programme will also expand and digitise protection monitoring systems to enable real-time reporting, early identification of threats and integration into state and federal early-warning mechanisms.
Alia described the partnership as a critical step toward addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by persistent displacement in the state.
He noted that Benue has borne a heavy burden of forced displacement for years and stressed that the collaboration would help scale up immediate humanitarian relief while strengthening long-term systems to protect communities.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring displaced families regain access to safety, recovery and opportunities for rebuilding their lives.
UNHCR Country Representative, Arjun Jain, also underscored the importance of strong government leadership and coordinated action in addressing humanitarian challenges.
He said the collaboration would allow partners to rapidly expand protection services and deliver assistance to families facing severe risks while laying the foundation for sustainable solutions.
Implementation of the joint intervention is expected to begin in April 2026.
FG, Benue, UNHCR Partner to Deliver Life-Saving Support to 100,000 Displaced Persons
News
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits have killed one person and injured three others in an attack on Shonong community in Bachi District, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, in a sustained reprisal attack linked to an earlier livestock-related incident.
Security sources said the attack occurred at about 8:40 p.m. on April 19 when the armed men invaded the community and opened fire on residents.
The sources said the assault was believed to be in retaliation over the killing of nine livestock in the area, an incident that had heightened tensions between farming and herding communities in the locality.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) deployed in the area reportedly came under fire while responding to the attack and engaged the assailants in a gun duel, forcing them to withdraw after a heavy exchange of fire.
Reinforcement teams were later deployed and moved into the community to stabilise the situation and restore order.
According to the sources, the attackers killed a woman identified as Mrs Fibi Solomon, while three others — Mr Solomon, Master Jacob Solomon and Miss Jacobeth Solomon — sustained gunshot wounds.
The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Riyom for treatment, alongside the remains of the deceased.

Troops also rescued 12 civilians comprising three men, six women and three children, who were relocated to nearby Fang village for safety.
Security sources added that troops had intensified pursuit operations to track down the fleeing attackers, while the general area remained calm but tense.
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
News
Yobe: Baba Malam Wali paid condolences to Senator Mustapha
Yobe: Baba Malam Wali paid condolences to Senator Mustapha
By: Yahqya Wakili
The immediate past secretary to the Yobe State Government, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali mni, today paid a condolence visit to Senator Musa Mustapha, senator representing Yobe East in the National Assembly, following the death of his mother-in-law, the late Hajiya Fatima Mustapha Jibrin.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by his press secretary, Alhaji Shuaibu Abdullahi, made available to newsmen in Damaturu, the state capital.
During the visit, the former secretary to the state government, Baba Malam Wali mni, offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul.
He urged the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude, noting that death is inevitable and a path that every mortal must take.
Hajiya Fatima Mustapha Jibrin passed away yesterday, Thursday, 16th April 2026, in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital. She was buried the same day in accordance with Islamic injunction.
Baba Malam Wali further prayed to Almighty Allah SWT to forgive the shortcomings of the late Hajiya Fatima, have mercy on her, and grant her Al-Jannatul Fiddausi as her final abode.
Yobe: Baba Malam Wali paid condolences to Senator Mustapha
News
Troops Foil ISWAP Attack Attempt in Guzamala
Troops Foil ISWAP Attack Attempt in Guzamala
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3 Area of Responsibility have foiled an attempted attack by suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 1329hrs on April 19, when the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the base through Charlie/Delta Company axis.
The attackers, operating with two gun trucks, were sighted advancing toward the entrance gate of Mairari town along the Gajiram axis.
Troops immediately engaged the advancing terrorists, forcing them to abandon their mission and retreat.
Following the encounter, troops dominated the general area with patrols, while air support was also deployed and hovered over the vicinity. However, no further terrorist presence was observed after the exchange.
Security sources said exploitation and clearance operations are ongoing to prevent regrouping and to secure surrounding communities.
Troops Foil ISWAP Attack Attempt in Guzamala
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