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US Spends $15 Million; Trained Over 46,000 in Dispute Resolution for Northern and Middle-Belt Region
US Spends $15 Million; Trained Over 46,000 in Dispute Resolution for Northern and Middle-Belt Region
By: Michael Mike
The United States and Nigeria are working together to address and mitigate the drivers of conflict in northern and middle-belt Nigeria, including ethnic, regional, and sectarian tensions across communities, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the US Embassy in Nigeria.
The statement read that: “Over the past five years, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has invested $15 million in the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) programme. This initiative has trained more than 46,000 community members, including traditional leaders, women, men, and youth, in six states – Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, and Plateau – on skills such as dispute resolution, early warning and early response, reconciliation efforts, and prevention of violent extremism.
The statement further added that: “The CIPP programme has been helped mitigate violent conflict in at-risk communities and engaged women and youth in peace processes. A randomized control trial, which compared how the activity worked in its target communities with nearby communities that did not include any interventions, showed that despite the overall increase in violence in Plateau, Benue, and other states, violent conflict was lower in communities where USAID worked. For instance, after four years of implementation, the study showed that only 29 percent of CIPP treatment communities experienced violent incidents, compared to 55 percent in control communities – a difference of 26 percent.
The USAID Mission Director, Melissa Jones at a ceremony, said: “The CIPP activity has shown that a timely investment in peace can yield remarkable dividends,” adding that “Individuals trained in conflict mediation skills across Nigeria’s Middle Belt helped resolve hundreds of disputes before they escalated further.”
The statement revealed that as part of its closeout plan, USAID will transfer some of CIPP’s community structures, such as Conflict Mitigation Regional Councils and Women Peace Councils, to its new Peace Action for Rapid and Transformative Nigerian Early Response activity. This will ensure continuity and sustained progress in our shared mission to promote peace and security in the northern and middle-belt regions.
US Spends $15 Million; Trained Over 46,000 in Dispute Resolution for Northern and Middle-Belt Region
Troops arrest suspected cattle rustler in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested a suspected cattle rustler in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources said the suspect was apprehended at about 4:20 p.m. on April 15, 2026, at Anule community.
According to the sources, troops of Sector 1 OPWS deployed in the area arrested the suspect during ongoing security operations.
The suspect is currently in custody, while further investigation is underway to determine possible links to cattle rustling activities in the area.
Troops arrest suspected cattle rustler in Benue
Troops arrest suspected terrorist, recover motorcycle in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested a suspected terrorist during an operation in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 5:19 p.m. on April 15, 2026, following intelligence on the presence of a suspected criminal hiding in Tse Atu community.
According to the sources, troops of Sector 1 OPWS deployed at Anguhah and Umbagbo swiftly responded and conducted a targeted operation in the area.
During the operation, one suspect was apprehended, while a motorcycle believed to be linked to the suspect was also recovered.
The suspect and the recovered item are currently in custody, while further investigation is ongoing to ascertain the suspect’s involvement in criminal activities.
Troops arrest suspected terrorist, recover motorcycle in Benue
Army distributes fertilisers to farmers in Benue to boost security, livelihoods
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army has distributed fertilisers to farmers across various Local Government Areas of Benue State as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at enhancing food security and strengthening civil-military relations.
The event, held on April 15, 2026, was conducted by the Commander, Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Brig.-Gen. K.O. Bukoye, under the Army Headquarters Corporate Responsibility Project.
The initiative, themed “Using Agricultural Support to Improve Farming for Sustained Security,” is designed to support local farmers while promoting stability within the Joint Operations Area.
Security sources said the programme brought together community leaders, farmers, and other key stakeholders, alongside representatives of the OPWS Commander.
They noted that the intervention is part of ongoing efforts to foster cooperation between security forces and local communities, while addressing underlying factors contributing to insecurity.
Army distributes fertilisers to farmers in Benue to boost security, livelihoods
Troops arrest suspected cattle rustler in Benue
Troops arrest suspected terrorist, recover motorcycle in Benue
Army distributes fertilisers to farmers in Benue to boost security, livelihoods
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