Hunters Arrest Two Traders in Benue, Release Hausa Man but Allegedly Kill Fulani Trader

Zagazola Makama

Operatives of the Forest Security Service, popularly known as hunters in Benue have killed a 30-year-old Fulani trader, Dahiru Audu Yaro, after arresting him alongside another trader at Abako Market in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Taraba state.

The incident, which points to a potentially disturbing case of ethnic profiling and targeted killing in the area , reportedly occurred on Oct. 16, 2026, when the two men travelled from Bantaje in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State to sell second-hand clothes.

Sources who disclosed this to Zagazola Makama identified the traders as Muhammadu Sani, 35, and Dahiru Audu Yaro, 30.

The two men were reportedly arrested by the hunters along with their merchandise and motorcycle while conducting their business at the market.

However, in a development that demands serious scrutiny, Sani, who was identified as Hausa, was reportedly released, while Yaro, identified as Fulani, was allegedly killed.
The whereabouts of Yaro’s body, motorcycle and goods remained unknown as of the latest report.

Zagazola learnt that on Oct. 17, police operatives in Abako reportedly identified and arrested those allegedly responsible for the incident.

Efforts were still ongoing to recover Yaro’s body, motorcycle and goods, but the search had yet to produce any results, according to the security report.

The police are expected to establish the precise circumstances of the killing, determine whether ethnic discrimination or any other motive was involved, and ensure that all those found culpable are brought to justice.

The Benue State Government and relevant security authorities must also ensure that the Forest Security Service operates within the law and that allegations of extrajudicial killings are investigated transparently.

Hunters Arrest Two Traders in Benue, Release Hausa Man but Allegedly Kill Fulani Trader

ECOWAS, AES MOVE TO RESET TIES, SET UP JOINT TEAMS FOR COOPERATION DEAL

Three Sahel states broke away from regional bloc in January 2025

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) have agreed to establish joint working groups to negotiate a cooperation framework, marking a fresh diplomatic push to bridge divisions between the regional bloc and the three Sahelian countries that withdrew from it.

The agreement was reached in Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday at the first ministerial meeting of the ECOWAS-AES Dialogue on Cooperation, where the two sides committed to structured technical discussions aimed at defining the terms of their future relationship.

The move comes against the backdrop of a major rupture in West African regional integration following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS in January 2025, after years of disagreements over military rule, sanctions and the regional bloc’s approach to political transitions.

Under the arrangement reached in Dakar, the joint working groups will examine areas of common interest and work towards an agreement that both sides say must be balanced, realistic and protective of the interests of their respective populations.

The outcome of the technical discussions will be submitted to the ministers for consideration before their next session, according to a joint communiqué issued at the end of the meeting.

Although the communiqué did not announce a comprehensive agreement or specify when negotiations would be concluded, the decision to establish joint technical teams provides a formal mechanism for continued engagement between the two organisations after their political differences.

The meeting was co-chaired by Senegal’s Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, Cheikh Niang, who is President of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, and Burkina Faso’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, who chairs the AES Ministerial Steering Committee.

The discussions followed consultations held in Bamako, Mali, on May 22, 2025, which the parties said provided the basis for further exchanges on their relationship.

The communiqué said both delegations welcomed the atmosphere of “fraternity, mutual respect and openness” during the meeting and reaffirmed the historical, socio-cultural and economic ties linking the peoples of West Africa.

They also agreed that their future relations should be guided by good-neighbourliness, respect for sovereignty, dignity and the welfare of West African populations.

The next ministerial meeting will be scheduled through diplomatic consultations.

THE CRISIS BEHIND THE TALKS

The Dakar meeting represents a significant diplomatic development in a region whose integration project has been strained by political upheavals, military takeovers and competing approaches to security and governance.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, all governed by military-led administrations following coups, announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024, accusing the organisation of imposing what they described as inhumane sanctions and failing to provide sufficient support in their fight against insecurity.

Their withdrawal took effect on January 29, 2025, after the one-year notice period stipulated by the ECOWAS treaty.

The three countries subsequently consolidated their separate regional arrangement through the Alliance of Sahel States, which evolved into the Confederation of Sahel States in July 2024.

The confederation has sought closer cooperation among its members, particularly in defence, security and economic affairs, while pursuing a political direction distinct from that of ECOWAS.

Their departure raised concerns about the future of regional cooperation on counter-terrorism, trade, free movement of people and goods, as well as the movement of citizens across borders that have historically linked communities throughout West Africa.

The countries share extensive commercial and social ties with other ECOWAS member states, making the management of their separation a critical issue for governments, businesses and millions of citizens who depend on cross-border exchanges.

Against this background, the establishment of joint working groups could provide an avenue for addressing practical concerns even as differences over political governance and regional authority persist.

However, the communiqué did not disclose the specific issues to be prioritised by the working groups, nor did it set out proposed arrangements for trade, border management, security cooperation or the status of citizens moving between the two blocs.

It also did not indicate whether the talks would lead to a reversal of the three countries’ withdrawal or a restoration of their membership in ECOWAS.

For now, the immediate objective is to negotiate a cooperation framework that allows both sides to identify common interests while maintaining their respective positions on sovereignty and regional relations.

The parties expressed gratitude to Senegalese President Bassirou Faye, the government and people of Senegal for hosting the meeting and supporting West African integration.

ECOWAS, AES MOVE TO RESET TIES, SET UP JOINT TEAMS FOR COOPERATION DEAL

Zulum Calls for Coordinated Military Offensive in the Lake Chad

…Zulum’s Support Instrumental to Military Success – COAS

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called on the military to immediately commence a coordinated offensive operation, Operation Lake Sanity, to dislodge insurgents from the shores and islands of Lake Chad.

Governor Zulum made the call on Saturday when he received the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, on a courtesy visit at the new Council Chamber, Government House, Maiduguri.

The Governor commended the Nigerian Army for improvements in the security situation in the state and also requested stronger military deployments in strategic locations, including Kareto, Baga, and the Sabon Gari–Wajiroko axis, to protect communities, secure waterways, and support the reopening of the Damboa–Biu road.

“The recent attacks on some communities in northern Borno are a result of the presence of insurgents along the shores of Lake Chad. We cannot achieve complete peace without undertaking major military operations in that area,” Zulum said.

The Governor acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support for the proposed operation and the coordination among the service chiefs; however, he urged the military authorities to accelerate preparations.

“I understand that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has provided the necessary support for the operation. I urge you to hasten the process so that the insurgents threatening northern Borno can be dislodged,” he stated.

He called for strengthening the amphibious command in Baga to clear waterways, stressing that holding those positions would be essential to sustaining the operation’s gains.

On the Gubio–Damasak corridor, Zulum appealed for the speedy establishment of a military formation in Kareto, and around Sabon Gari and Wajiroko in Damboa Local Government Area to support the restoration of vehicular movement between Damboa and Biu.

Governor Babagana Zulum thanked the Chief of Army Staff for training about 1,000 forest guards, who he said had completed their training and were deployed to the State.

Zulum emphasised the need to consolidate military successes through reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement, commending the Army’s support for re-establishing the Mairari community and preparing for military formations and community resettlement in Maiwa, Koshobe and Ala.

“Military operations must be followed by stabilisation measures, including reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement. Borno State Government will provide the support required by the Nigerian Army to fortify these locations,” he pledged.

He also expressed appreciation for additional battalions deployed across the two sectors, noting that the reinforcements were helping to strengthen security and stabilise affected areas.

“Notwithstanding the recent attacks in some parts of Borno State, there has been tremendous improvement in our security situation. I commend the officers and men of Operation Hadin Kai and urge them to sustain this momentum,” Zulum announced.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his sustained support to the Nigerian Army, describing it as instrumental to the successes recorded against insurgency.

“I must put on record that the support of the Executive Governor of Borno State has been phenomenal in the successes we have recorded here in Borno State. For that, we say a very big thank you, sir,” the COAS said.

The Army Chief explained that his visit to troops of Operation Hadin Kai was part of a routine assessment of their operations, to encourage commanders, and to appreciate the resilience of personnel confronting insurgency in the North-East.

He reaffirmed their mandate to restore normalcy and create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities, assuring that challenges presented by commanders would receive prompt attention.

The courtesy visit was attended by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, member representing Marte, Monguno, Nganzai federal constituency, Hon. Bukar Talba, Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners, Special Advisers and other senior military and heads of security establishment in the state.

Zulum Calls for Coordinated Military Offensive in the Lake Chad