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Jukun vs Benue State Government, Tor Tiv, others: Falana demands Chief Judge to assign suit
Jukun vs Benue State Government, Tor Tiv, others: Falana demands Chief Judge to assign suit
By: Our Reporter
Solicitors to National Association of Jukun Wanu (NAJUWA), Falana and Falana’s Chambers have complained to the Chief Judge of Benue State over the non-assigning of a suit involving its client and the Benue State Government and four others.
In a letter of complaint dated 18, April, 2024, the Chambers expressed dismay over a case filed on 2, February, 2024 and yet to be assigned.
In the letter signed by Samuel Ogala Esq for Principal Partner, it informed the Chief Judge that the claimants and all Jukun Wanu indigenes are already agitated by the non-assignment of the case hence the need to act urgently on the letter by exercising its administrative powers by assigning the suit to a court for adjudication.
According to reports reaching this medium, the Benue State Chief Judge has been assigning cases to various courts for adjudication even after February 2, 2024 when NAJUWA suit was filed but left it unattended to without reason.
NAJUWA wants the world to note that the Tiv Traditional Council have been using some sinister and unconstitutional means to scuttle the suit, which is being spearheaded by Tor Tiv using Ter Guma and Tor Lobi who invited some of its members to meetings which were explicitly recorded in which our communities were tasked to withdraw the lawsuit or in the alternative write a letter of disclaimer which can be used to discredit the matter in court.
They have also threatened that their plan to install a Tiv Chief in Abinsi will soon be realised despite NAJUWA’s matter in court.
However, the Jukun Wanu Association (JUWA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in its April meeting unanimously urged NAJUWA not to relent or withdraw the suit.
NAJUWA sued the office of the Benue State Governor, Benue State Government, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Benue State House of Assembly, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State and HRM, Orchivirigh Professor Ortese James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and President, Benue State Council of Chiefs over decades of discriminatory policies against Benue Jukun.
NAJUWA declared that by virtue of the provision of section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the people of Jukun Wanu are indigenes of Guma Local Government, Makurdi Local Government and Logo Local Government Area of Benue State and citizens of Nigeria and as such are entitled to equal protection under any law made in Nigeria including Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council Law 2016, that by virtue of the provision of section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the people of Jukun Wanu whom are indigenes of Guma Local Government, Makurdi Local Government and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State are entitled to freedom from discrimination on the basis of the circumstances of their birth and that by virtue of section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the respondents are not competent to make any law or adopt any policy which discriminates against the people of Jukun Wanu whom are indigenes of Benue State in any manner whatsoever and howsoever.
The Claimant declared that the exclusion of Jukun Wanu whom are indigenes of Guma Local Government, Makurdi Local Government and Logo Local Government of Benue State from Schedule 5 and 6 of Section 18 (1) of the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council Law 2016 is illegal and unconstitutional.
NAJUWA averred that its members are Jukun Wanu (Riverine Jukun) whom are indigenes of Benue State whose ancestral origin can be traced to many communities in the state.
According to it, these communities include but not limited to Abinsi, Agyogo (Makurdi) Akatungu (North Bank), Agyetashi, Azhoko (Ankwa), Abweni, Anmor (Fiidi), Ando Sede (Bajimba), Anuwha, Atenge and Anyishi.
Others are Asugu, Gidin Mangoro, Akatsu, Agbodo, Zhamindo, Ashuku, Kitsani, Aguye and Asokpoga among others.
NAJUWA are requesting for N1billion as damages for prolonged act of discrimination against Benue Jukun.
The Association urges the Tiv Traditional Council to follow the path of honour, decency and justice to grant Jukun their constitutional right or know that the Jukun will never waver or abdicate their right on this matter or any other thus will never withdraw this case, no matter their intimidation or threats.
However, NAJUWA noted that Jukun people will follow the path of peace and as law abiding citizens, continue to wait patiently until justice is achieved in this matter.
Jukun vs Benue State Government, Tor Tiv, others: Falana demands Chief Judge to assign suit
Zulum flags off Ramadan palliative for 300,000 households in Borno’s 27 LGAs
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has launched the distribution of Ramadan palliatives to 300,000 households across all 27 local government areas of the state.
The intervention is designed to cushion the economic burden on vulnerable residents during the holy month of Ramadan.
Each beneficiary will receive one bag of rice, one bag of millet and 10 kg of sugar.
Speaking at Ramat Square, the venue for the distribution exercise on Tuesday, Zulum urged the committee tasked with the exercise to adhere to the highest standards of transparency and fairness.
He said, “To the committee in charge of this distribution, let transparency be your watchword. Let fairness be your guide. These items are not for sale. They are not for your friends or family members who do not need them.
“They are for the widow, the orphan, the internally displaced, the farmer whose fields have not fully recovered, and the daily wage earner struggling to make ends meet. Any officer found diverting these items will face the full wrath of the law.”
The governor also noted that the distribution would be extended to Christian residents who are coincidentally observing the Lent period, which overlaps with the Muslim fasting season this year.
This gesture will also touch the non-Muslims who are also fasting the lent which falls within the month of Ramadan,” Zulum ordered.
Zulum’s administration had consistently supported Christian communities in the state, particularly during festive seasons.
Each year, the governor approves the distribution of food items to Christian faithful celebrating Christmas and free transport for non-indigenous Christians who wish to travel to other parts of the country to celebrate their holidays with family and loved ones.
In their remarks, the senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan and the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, commended Governor Zulum for supporting the vulnerable in their most critical moment.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ali Abdullahi Isa, reiterated the agency’s readiness to ensure hitch-free distribution.
The ceremony was attended by members of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba and Abdulkadir Rahis, the speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdkarim Lawan and principal officers of the House, the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, among many other senior government officials.
Zulum flags off Ramadan palliative for 300,000 households in Borno’s 27 LGAs
Bauchi Police arrests father for chaining son for 17 years
By: Zagazola Makama
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 72-year-old man for allegedly chaining his 40-year-old biological son for 17 years in Shadawanka Village, on the outskirts of Bauchi Local Government Area.
Sources said the incident came to light on Feb. 16, 2026, at about 1:30 p.m., following a distress call from the community reporting the inhumane treatment.
The DPO of ‘B’ Division, together with officers from the Police Response and Special Patrol Unit (PRESPOL), led a team of detectives to the scene, where they found the victim helpless inside a room with a chain on his right leg.
The father, Malam Muhammad Lawan, was arrested and taken into custody, while the victim was rushed to ATBU Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Police sources said the case is under investigation and assured the public that perpetrators of such acts would be brought to justice.
Bauchi Police arrests father for chaining son for 17 years
Operation FANSAN YANMA troops rescue kidnapped residents, recover 30 sheep in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, alongside other joint security forces, successfully rescued ten residents abducted by suspected armed bandits in Madakin Hurya village, Kankara Local Government Area, and recovered 30 rustled sheep.
Sources said that at about 11:00 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2026, armed bandits attacked the village, abducting residents and stealing livestock. Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in coordination with Police and Civil Watch (CWATCH) units, were immediately deployed to the area and intercepted the assailants at the outskirts of the village.
A sustained gunfight ensued, forcing the bandits to flee into Gidan Jakibush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. The operation led to the safe rescue of all ten kidnapped victims, including Nasiru Yau, 50; Salisu Umar, 45; Habiba Ibrahim, 13; and seven others. Thirty stolen sheep were recovered and returned to the community.
Normalcy has been restored in Madakin Hurya, while cordon-and-search operations continue to track and apprehend the fleeing bandits. Further updates are expected.
Operation FANSAN YANMA troops rescue kidnapped residents, recover 30 sheep in Katsina
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Zulum flags off Ramadan palliative for 300,000 households in Borno’s 27 LGAs
Bauchi Police arrests father for chaining son for 17 years
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