Ondo protesters, regent criticize government over killings, Benue LG secretariat, palace torched Residents of several communities in Ondo, Benue, Nasarawa, and Edo states are reeling from a spate of deadly attacks by suspected armed herders, sparking widespread outrage and protests. A total of 30 people were reportedly killed in the series of attacks across the three states, prompting communities to call for urgent government intervention. In Ondo, nine surveyors were reportedly kidnapped, while two residents were abducted, and four others sustained gunshot and machete wounds in Edo. Enraged women in Ondo took to the streets of Akure on Monday to protest the abduction of nine surveyors and the killings of villagers in Akure North Local Government Area. Armed assailants reportedly stormed the communities of Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun over the weekend, leaving a trail of destruction and bloodshed. Authorities have so far recovered at least 14 bodies, with ongoing search efforts suggesting that as many as 20 villagers may have been killed. In Benue, violent protests erupted in Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government, after three members of the state’s Civil Protection Guards were ambushed and killed by suspected herders. The discovery of their bodies early Tuesday sparked a rampage by angry youths, who torched the palace of the local traditional ruler and parts of the local government secretariat. Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killings and urged security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice while calling for restraint among residents. In Nasarawa State, a communal clash in the Farin Dutse community escalated into a full-blown crisis, leaving at least seven people dead, including a pregnant woman. The conflict, which began as a dispute between local farmers and herders, quickly spiraled out of control, with houses, shops, and vehicles set ablaze. The police have arrested two suspects in connection with the violence and have initiated security patrols in the area to prevent further bloodshed. Protest in Ondo On Tuesday, Akure, the capital of Ondo State, was brought to a standstill as hundreds of women took to the streets to protest the alleged kidnapping of nine surveyors in the Ilu Abo community, Akure North Local Government Area. According to the protesters, the surveyors were abducted by gunmen while working at a site in the local government. The women, carrying leaves in their hands, gathered in the Ijemikin area of the state capital and marched to the Government Secretariat at Alagbaka, chanting solidarity songs to express their dissatisfaction with the rising insecurity in the state. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Arowosafe, speaking to journalists during the protest, stated that some of the protesters were relatives of the kidnapped surveyors. She revealed that the kidnappers had contacted the families and demanded a ransom of N100 million for their release. “We want to call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to come to our rescue. Our men have been kidnapped since last Tuesday, and the kidnappers are demanding N100 million to release them, which we cannot afford,” she said. Government Alleges Connivance Addressing the women on behalf of the governor, the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Bola Taiwo, blamed the surveyors for going to the site without security protection. Taiwo said, “We shall speak with your leaders if they have reported the incident to the police. If they have not, they should go there and report it; that’s when the government would act. Nowadays, surveyors going to the site should go with police escorts. If they do, no gunmen would abduct them. No one can kidnap anyone without internal collaborators.” He asked the women to return to Ilu-Abo and continue to demand the release of the surveyors. “You shall now go back to Ilu-Abo and cry out that those who abducted the surveyors should release them. No Hausa or Fulani man can come to Ilu-Abo and kidnap without the connivance of one of the natives. It is your people that kidnapped the nine surveyors. We will meet with your leaders and discuss with them,” he said. Government and Regent Disagree Over Weekend Killings in Ondo The Ondo State governor and Princess Kemisola Adelowo, the regent of Ademekun Community, have clashed over the reported killings in border communities on Saturday. In a statement on Monday, Gbenga Atiba, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, dismissed media reports of the killings as fake news intended to create panic among residents. On Tuesday, Atiba reiterated this stance on a radio program in Akure, insisting that the incident did not occur as reported. “Security is everybody’s business. Our people want the government to come and build a police station in their homes. What are the farmers doing to protect themselves before calling on the government? The government’s role is to provide police stations and put officers there. The government gives money to all security agencies in this state every month for them to perform their roles. All the reported cases which happened in Oba-Ile are fake. The kidnapping of students of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, didn’t happen in Ondo State but in Ekiti State,” Atiba said. In response, Princess Kemisola Adelowo, the regent, expressed her dismay at the government’s denial. “When I called my people about what the government officials were saying that the incident didn’t happen, they were cursing, lamenting that it was unfortunate. I’m the regent of that community, and I came to town last Tuesday. I was told that someone called ‘Iron Body’ and some boys came to the community on Thursday. He introduced his team as ‘Commissioner Boys’ and was immediately confronted. He claimed he only came to seek their collaboration on how to prevent herdsmen and their cattle from entering the community. Not long after, the same ‘Iron Body’ and his boys went to the next village, started firing gunshots, and killed about a hundred cows. We became scared over the development. At midnight on Saturday, Fulani herdsmen invaded the communities, shooting and attacking anyone in sight in retaliation for the cows that were killed. They assumed we were responsible. Most of those killed were farmers from Taraba and Oyo states. They spared no one – they killed both old and young and also set buildings on fire,” she recounted. Protests Erupt in Benue Over Killings Irate youths took to the major streets of Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area in Benue State, on Tuesday to protest the killing of three members of the state security operatives, known as the Civil Protection Guards. In their anger, they set fire to the palace of the traditional ruler of Naka, Ter Naka, parts of the local government secretariat, and properties belonging to private individuals. The violent protest erupted after the bodies of the three operatives, reportedly killed by suspected armed herders, were brought to the council headquarters early Tuesday. The Chairman of the local government, Victor Omirin, confirmed the protest, stating, “Yes, they razed the secretariat and the Ter Naka palace. Three protection guards were killed in Garuwa, so when their bodies were brought to Naka, it sparked protest from the youth, and it’s now being taken over by hoodlums.” Speaking to our correspondent, the traditional ruler of Naka, Daniel Abomtse, confirmed the burning of his palace. “I was in Makurdi for a medical check-up only to be called early this morning that some hoodlums had burnt down my palace. I had to rush back only to discover that three vehicles, motorcycles, and other valuables were burnt down,” he said. The spokesperson for the state command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the protest and mentioned that the Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, had left for Naka to assess the situation and promised to provide details later. As of the time of filing this report, she had yet to provide the requested details. Governor Hyacinth Alia has condemned the killing of three Civil Protection Guards personnel and the protests that followed. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday, Alia decried the attack on the operatives, who were on duty to protect locals at On-MbaAondo, Tsambe-Mbesev ward of Gwer-West Local Government. Alia described the attack by suspected armed herders as a blatant affront to the peace and security of the communities. The statement quoted the governor as saying, “We appreciate the deep rage and frustration that has led to the anxiety at Naka, the headquarters of Gwer-West, including the regrettable burning of the LG secretariat and the palace of Ter Nagi by protesters. While we empathize with the sentiments of our people, we advocate restraint and foresight in channeling this anger. Destruction of our valuables simply serves to frustrate the intentions of our government, which is devoted to building up peace and security in the state.” The governor called on all security agencies to intensify efforts in capturing the perpetrators of the heinous atrocity. “It is essential that these marauding herdsmen be brought to justice and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said. Alia emphasized that his government is committed to enhancing security efforts to protect communities from further attacks. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and collaborate with security agencies in reporting any unusual activities. “In these trying moments, let us stand united against violence and strive for peace and justice in Benue State. Together, we can overcome these challenges and build a safer environment for all,” the governor added. Nasarawa Communal Violence The clash between farmers and herders in the Farin Dutse community of Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has claimed the life of a pregnant woman, Azumi Allah Gaba, and her unborn child. A statement made available to journalists in Lafia on Tuesday by the state PPRO, Ramhan Nansel, detailed the escalation of the crisis, which began among some youths and a herder in a bush in the area. The crisis later resulted in the tragic killing of one Friday Danladi Jike by a suspect identified as Sani Allah Gaba. The police spokesman said, “On March 9, 2025, at about 14:30 hrs, one Yakubu Kaka of Farin Dutse reported the dispute to the Nasarawa State Police Command. Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, swiftly deployed mobile police operatives to the scene, where they encountered a violent mob attempting to kill one Isa Alhaji.” The victim was successfully rescued and taken to the General Hospital, Nasarawa, where his health situation was promptly brought under control. “However, in the course of the intervention, the mob vandalized a police patrol vehicle and later set fire to a nearby Ruga settlement where the suspect, Sani, resided. This led to the unfortunate death of one Azumi Allah Gaba and her unborn child. To restore peace, a stakeholders’ meeting was held with leaders from both communities,” Nansel stated. Two suspects, Usman Magaji and Hon Ibrahim Usman Kaka, who participated in the attack on the police and the attempted killing of the rescued victim, have been arrested for further investigation. In a related development involving the same Farin Dutse community, the PPRO reported that on March 10, 2025, at about 06:47 hrs, the District Head of Kurudu placed a distress call reporting an attack on the village by suspected herders. A swift response team led by the Divisional Police Officer of Nasarawa in the Nasarawa LG was deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, officers dislodged the assailants. During the operation, three injured victims—Samaniya Wa’azu, Vincent Ezekiel, and Johnson Maikasuwa—were rescued and taken to a medical center for treatment. Tragically, six corpses were recovered and identified as Simeon Madaki, Ayawu Senior, Sunday Wa’azu, Vincent Sunday, Taimako Senior, and Filibus Jatau Mai’anguwa. Some houses, shops, motorcycles, and a car were also vandalized during the attack. To ensure law and order, the area has been reinforced with personnel from the Mobile Police of 69 PMF Toto, alongside other police operatives and the military, who are currently patrolling the vicinity. Nansel urged the public to remain calm, adding that efforts are ongoing to arrest the perpetrators of the unfortunate incident. Herders Attack Edo Community Two residents were abducted, and four others sustained gunshot and machete wounds when herders invaded the Dantata Life Camp in Aviele, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State around 8 pm on Sunday. An eyewitness named Abu reported that the armed herders opened fire on the residents as they were about to break their fast. He mentioned that Mutairu Dauda, who resisted the attack, was hacked with a machete and shot. “I can confirm that killer herdsmen invaded the Dantata Life Camp in Aviele, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State on Sunday night around 8 pm. They opened fire on residents. A man who stood and fought with them as they tried to either kill or kidnap him sustained various degrees of machete injuries and was also shot. His wife, daughter, and mother-in-law also suffered machete wounds. Dauda, a furniture maker, is currently receiving treatment at Irrua Specialist Hospital,” Abu said. Local vigilantes who went in search of the two abductees managed to arrest two kidnappers and handed them over to the police. Abu added that some residents had been forced to abandon their homes due to a series of similar attacks by the invaders in the past. When contacted, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, stated, “Will revert, sir.” Ekiti State Welcomes New Army Formation The Nigerian Army has assured enhanced security and safety in Ekiti State with the establishment of the 148 Battalion. The outgoing Commander of 12 Brigade, Lokoja, Maj Gen Oluremi Fadairo, stated that the new formation would significantly improve the security architecture of the state and its neighboring areas, including Kogi and Ondo states. Fadairo made these remarks in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday during a visit to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji. He was accompanied by senior army officers, including the new Brigade Commander, 12 Brigade, Lokoja, Brig Gen Kasim Umar Sidi, the Commanding Officer of the new battalion, and the Garrison Commander, 32 Brigade, Col Kyari Babakura. The visit aimed to assess the new barracks of the Nigerian Army in Ikere Ekiti ahead of the deployment of personnel and equipment. The military chiefs expressed satisfaction with the location of the Army barracks in Ikere Ekiti and assured the governor that the deployment of personnel would commence immediately at the temporary base. They also requested a larger space to serve as a temporary abode for the deployed personnel. Fadairo urged residents to support and cooperate with the military to achieve the objective of curtailing all forms of insecurity in the state. He mentioned that the new formation would begin operations in Ikere Ekiti with the deployment of personnel and materials. Governor Oyebanji thanked the Nigerian Army for the new development, stating that it would further enhance safety and security in the state and confirm Ekiti as a prime location for living, working, relaxing, and investing. He assured the army authorities of effective collaboration to strengthen security and eliminate criminal elements from the state. The governor highlighted his administration’s efforts to partner with relevant security agencies to ensure the safety and security of lives and properties in the state. “We are grateful to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for the approval to establish this battalion in Ekiti State. We are grateful to the Army command, under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, for doing this for us in the state. What you have done for us in Ekiti State is so dear to us. Ekiti State is peaceful, but we also have our own pockets of criminalities, and the area where the battalion is cited is one of the most security-challenged places in the state. This is an effort that we will give maximum support to in a bid to ensure its early takeoff. You also see that immediately it was announced, we got the land from the community, and so the people have taken ownership of the project,” Oyebanji said.
