A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ladan Salihu, has emphasised the necessity of a united opposition to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a Thursday appearance on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Salihu declared that collaboration among political parties is the only viable path to reclaim power from the APC.

“We all agreed during our meeting with Atiku and others that we should go into a coalition with other political parties to democratically rescue power from the APC. Coming together is strategic, helpful, and will generate the numbers necessary to succeed,” Salihu revealed.

Naija News reports that this aligns with recent remarks by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who signalled that any forthcoming opposition alliance ahead of 2027 will not be confined to just one political platform.

The former FRCN DG cautioned that without such alignment, President Bola Tinubu’s re-election would be almost guaranteed. “From where we stand today, there’s no way the PDP alone can secure victory. If we don’t collaborate and bring all stakeholders under one umbrella, Tinubu will return,” he warned.

Beyond coalition politics, Salihu also raised serious concerns about internal power dynamics within the PDP. He criticised the recent PDP Governors’ Forum meeting held in Ibadan, labelling it a breach of the party’s constitution.

“The PDP has a pedigree and history guided by its constitution, just like any country operates under the rule of law,” he said. “What we saw with the outcome of the governors’ meeting in Ibadan was a misstep. It appears to me that the Governors’ Forum has taken over the powers of the National Executive Committee (NEC), and that is unconstitutional.”

Salihu noted that the actions of the governors could weaken the party’s internal democracy. “To assume that a forum within the party can come up, organise a national convention, create committees with chairmen and members from within itself, and assume full control of the party structure — that is overriding and unconstitutional,” he stated.

He also pointed to the conspicuous absence of members from the National Working Committee (NWC) and NEC during the governors’ meeting, calling the development exclusionary.

“Everything I have seen in the actions of the Governors’ Forum is an abuse of the constitutionality of the PDP,” Salihu said.

Reflecting on the party’s past missteps, he issued a stern warning: “If this trend continues, it would be as though we are a party that shoots first and aims later. We end up in blame games when we lose, instead of taking timely and strategic decisions. The governors must not be dictatorial.”

Unknown hoodlums armed with cutlasses and firearms reportedly attacked the family residence of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the early hours of Tuesday, April 16, 2025, in the Obeiba-Ihima area of Okehi Local Government Area, Kogi State.

According to intelligence sources, the attack occurred around 1:00 a.m., and at least three armed individuals were involved in vandalizing the building, including shattering window panes.

The incident was promptly reported by the Senator’s Chief Security Officer, Yakubu Ovanja, to the relevant security authorities.

Following a distress alert, security operatives from the Okehi Division were swiftly deployed to the scene.

While no casualties were reported and no arrests have been made, security teams have documented the damage, and preliminary investigations are underway.

According to Zagazola Makama, Police sources have indicated that the motive behind the attack remains unclear.

As of press time, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a prominent political figure in Kogi Central Senatorial District, had not issued a public statement regarding the incident.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the attackers’ motives and identify those responsible for the attack.

The Apapa Magistrate Court, Court 9, sitting at Orege, Ajegunle—Sikiru Adagun Courthouse, has acquitted and discharged Alabi Quadri, the young Nigerian who became a national symbol of courage during the 2023 general elections.

Naija News reports that Quadri, who had boldly stood in front of Peter Obi’s campaign convoy, was cleared of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery.

The court ruled that Quadri had no case to answer, marking a significant legal victory for him after spending several months in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.

His case had originally been scheduled for a hearing on April 28, 2025, but the court expedited the proceedings following requests from human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong, along with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which the court granted.

Quadri first gained widespread attention during the tense period of the 2023 presidential elections when a viral video showed him, a teenage boy at the time, fearlessly standing in front of Peter Obi’s campaign convoy. His act was interpreted by many Nigerians as a symbol of youthful defiance and hope amidst a charged political environment.

Despite this moment of national recognition, Quadri’s subsequent arrest and imprisonment were linked not to his actions during the election period but to a vendetta from local ‘area boys’ (thugs) who felt entitled to some of the financial support and goodwill Quadri received following his viral moment. Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magistrate Court with Quadri’s mother and legal colleagues, revealed that Quadri’s arrest in January was the result of prolonged threats and harassment by these individuals.

Effiong explained that Quadri was abducted while returning from work by the ‘area boys’ and taken to Amukoko Police Station (also known as Pako Police Station). He was later accused of being involved in street fights, despite being a minor at the time. He was subsequently arraigned with four strangers on charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, with the alleged victims said to have been robbed of N579,000 in cash and four mobile phones.

Despite his detention in Kirikiri Prison with adult prisoners, Effiong highlighted that the charges were unsubstantiated, and the legal system’s handling of Quadri’s case appeared to be the result of a personal vendetta rather than any criminal wrongdoing. The court’s ruling has been hailed as a victory for justice and human rights.

Following his acquittal, Effiong and other legal advocates expressed relief and satisfaction with the decision, emphasizing the importance of ensuring justice for individuals like Quadri, who have become symbols of resistance in a challenging political landscape.

Hundreds of international students across the United States, U.S are facing sudden visa cancellations and legal status terminations, sparking panic and confusion on college campuses nationwide.

“We thought it was unusual at first,” said Boston-based attorney Matthew Maiona. “Now it’s coming fast and furious.”

At least 901 students from 128 colleges have been affected, according to an Associated Press review, with advocacy groups warning the number may be even higher.

Many of the students are from India and China, but lawyers say no region appears to be exempt.

Some students were reportedly targeted over minor infractions like traffic violations.

Four students in Michigan are suing the government, claiming they were given no clear reason for their status termination.

Others across the country are filing similar lawsuits, and judges in states like New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Montana have temporarily restored some students’ legal status.

In a shift from past procedures, universities are now discovering terminations directly in the government’s immigration database, often before students are even notified.

The sudden crackdown has left students, some weeks from graduation or employment, uncertain about their future.

With no official comment from the State or Homeland Security Departments, confusion and fear are mounting.

Some students are being advised to leave the country, while others stay and appeal — hoping to avoid detention or deportation.

As legal limbo sets in, many are altering their routines, carrying immigration documents at all times and bracing for the unknown.

“It’s scary,” said a Chinese Ph.D. student at UNC Chapel Hill. “You don’t know if you’ll be the next one.”

With 6,101,533 votes representing 25.40 percent of the total votes cast in the 2023 Presidential election, the Labour Party, LP, and its Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, registered their presence as a force to be reckoned with on Nigeria’s national political landscape.

Observers of political events took note of the fact that Obi’s entrance into the LP after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, only weeks earlier turned the race for Nigeria’s topmost job from a two horse race to a three horse race.

Soon after the elections and the litigations which soon followed, the Labour Party descended into chaos with a struggle over leadership positions by power brokers who hitherto shelved their differences to prosecute the 2023 general election.

First, it was a dispute between the party’s former National Secretary, who later became National Chairman, Mr Julius Abure and the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, over the National Chairmanship.

After a series of litigation, the combatants suspended the fight.

Temporary ruptured truce

However, the temporary truce was ruptured when the party’s former National Treasurer, Ms. Oluchi Okpara launched a ferocious attack on Abure’s credibility and leadership.

She accused the party leader of failing to account for over N3.6 billion of party funds generated from the sale of nomination and declaration of interest forms as well as donors before, during and after the 2023 polls.

The accusations attracted the intervention of Peter Obi who demanded a forensic audit of the party’s finances and the publication of the outcome.

The outcome of this request is yet to see the light of day.

Amidst all these, the tenure of the Abure-led National Working Committee, NWC, which was extended by one year because of the 2003 elections, was nearing its end.

This set off a chain of reactions forcing the crisis to take a dramatic turn with several persons laying claim to the party’s leadership. The party became polarized into three main camps: those loyal to Julius Abure, the Obidient group, and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, as represented by the NLC- Political Commission.

The crisis reached its peak after Abure’s tenure as national chairman was said to have expired in March 2024.

Since then, things have been falling apart.

Before the expiration of Abure’s tenure as National Chairman, he and his loyalists converged on Nnewi, Anambra State on March 27, 2024, and held a national convention.

The Convention left out key party stakeholders including Obi, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti and the leadership of the NLC, among others.

It was at this event that Abure’s tenure was said to have been renewed for a four-year term.

In what appears to be a response to this development, Obi, Otti and other stakeholders met in Umuahia, the Abia State capital on September 4, 2024, and empanelled a 29-member National Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Senators Esther Usman and Darlington Nwokocha, as Chairman and Secretary respectively.

The committee was given 90 days within which to organise and conduct congresses at all levels and a national convention to elect new party leaders. This was not to be as Abure went to court to challenge the existence of this new body.

Unshaken, the Otti-led group, which fully supported the Usman-led LP-NCC, continued their activities under the radar while awaiting the court ruling.

They worked having been convinced that with Mr Abure’s emergence, on March 27, 2024, the Nnewi convention would not stand even in court.

Their position was strengthened by the fact that it was conducted in flagrant disregard for the terms agreed in a consent judgment it entered into by Abure and party leaders following the intervention of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the early stages of the leadership tussle.

This, according to the Otti-led group, created a vacuum in the party’s leadership.

It stated: “You will recall that the Labour Party has had a leadership crisis in recent times, culminating in the

de-recognition of the Abure-led National Working Committee, NWC, by INEC effective June 2024. This is after the settlement brokered by INEC on 27 June 2022.

“This settlement was founded on the consent court judgment by Justice Gabriel Kolawole on 20 March 2018.

“A major part of the settlement states that an all-inclusive national convention, preceded by Ward, LG, and State congresses, shall be convened not later than one year after signing the terms of the settlement. Because of the 2023 election, the implementation of this agreement was deferred by one year to 2024.”

Abure’s attempt to circumvent procedure

An Anambra State chieftain of the party, Senator Victor Umeh, accused Abure of attempting to circumvent procedure by side-stepping the process of convening a national convention which ought to begin from the ward up.

Umeh said: “The Process begins at the ward level with Ward congresses, Local Government Congresses, and State Congresses all these must happen before a national convention is conducted.”

Abure challenged this in court and “won” at the High Court and Appeal Court.

However, the LP-NCC took the matter to the Supreme Court and the court gave judgment in which it quashed Abure’s victory at the lower courts on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court judgment has been given various interpretations by the opposing camps.

While Abure has maintained that his chairmanship remains valid and grounded in the party’s constitution, Peter Obi, Governor Otti and other stakeholders think differently.

Ahead of the release of the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the Supreme Court judgment, the Abure-led National Working Committee convened a National Executive Council, NEC, meeting which not only affirmed his leadership via a vote of confidence on his leadership, it also threatened disciplinary action against Obi and Otti, should they go ahead with their planned parallel NEC meeting scheduled for last week Wednesday.

The release of the CTC of the Supreme Court judgment which was hailed by all the warring groups has again emboldened claimants to the chairmanship seat to make fresh moves to assert themselves on the party.

As things stand today, the party appears split into three camps, namely: those loyal to Julius Abure, those loyal to the LP-NCC and a small faction loyal to Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, who has emerged from the shadows to also stake a claim.

While all agree that the Supreme Court judgment grants political parties the autonomy to manage their internal affairs, opposing camps interpret this to suit their bias.

Abure’s faction claims the judgment validates his leadership, while the Obi-Otti group argues that the Court’s dismissal of Abure’s cross-appeal and upholding Senator Usman’s appeal, validates the position of stakeholders opposed to Abure’s continued stay in office as chairman.

At the just concluded NEC meeting and Stakeholders’ Interactive Town Hall, the party’s NEC declared that the Nnewi convention that produced Abure failed in every aspect because due process was ignored therefore his rule was legitimate.

Governor Otti, who is one of nine statutory members of the party’s NEC whose tenure still subsists following his election in 2023, reeled out a series of steps he and other party leaders took to make Abure see reason but he remained adamant.

According to him, Abure was offered the position of Board of Trustees Chairman in a bid to give him a soft landing to no avail.

Otti said: “He went ahead to stay when his tenure and those of the NWC (National Working Committee) had expired.

“The correct procedure if you still want to be national chairman is to start from the ward congress, state congress and zonal congress, where the delegates would emerge for the national convention and everyone is free to contest.”

Speaking in the same vein at the event, Obi said: “Our Governor has said it. Let’s do the right thing. Let’s go and do it from the ward to local government, to state, to zone, and then come and do it nationally. Everybody’s free to contest. Everybody’s free to contest. Nobody is excluded. I will ensure fairness.”

Defiant Abure

Abure has, however, remained defiant.

In a series of statements issued by his faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, told those who care to listen that Otti and Obi were deluding themselves into thinking that their attempt to hijack the party structure would succeed.

Ifoh said: “Those two and other party outlaws took their desperation to a ridiculous level by attempting to pressure INEC to accept their interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment.

“There is nowhere in the Constitution of our great party that a so-called National Caretaker Committee was mentioned in our leadership structure. Strangely, persons who have no constitutionally assigned roles will arrogate to themselves powers that don’t exist.”

The situation has become increasingly heated, with Abure’s faction threatening fire and brimstone.

The party’s internal conflicts have raised concerns about its ability to present a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim puts it, “Unless the opposition parties can put their house in order… it will be difficult for them to convince Nigerians to vote for them.”

The National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties CUPP, Chief Peter Ameh is, however, optimistic that sooner than later, the opposition which the LP was prepared to lead will get its acts together.

Ameh said: “I see an end to the trouble bedevilling the LP. The Supreme Court judgment has set the pace all the party needs now is to follow.

“All parties must respect the court judgment and move forward. The Caretaker Committee must now open the party’s doors for Nigerians who have something to offer to make meaningful progress.”

Music undeniably thrives in Nigeria and the black nation has produced emerging and celebrated award-winning artistes from across the globe.

There are several American artistes in music-loving nations like the United States of America (USA) who are of Nigerian descent and are leading acts in songwriting, production, and singing.

According to a recent US survey, Nigerian immigrants in the US have a high level of educational attainment, ranking among the most educated immigrant groups in the country. It is therefore not surprising that some of the talented musicians and rappers in America have Nigerian roots.

This article highlights ten popular American artistes who are of Nigerian descent, either by half parent, birth, or naturalisation.

1. Jidenna

Jidenna Theodore Mobisson, popularly known as Jidenna, is an American rapper and singer.

The singer was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, to Tama Mobisson, an accountant, and Oliver Mobisson, a Nigerian Igbo academic. He grew up partially in Nigeria, where his father worked as a professor of computer science at Enugu State University. When Mobisson was six years old, the family moved back to the United States.

Proud of his African roots, Jidenna is proud of his African heritage as he represents Nigerian culture through his music and unique sense of fashion. In 2019, his sophomore album “85 to Africa” featured guest appearances from Nigerian acts Mr. Eazi and Seun Kuti.

2. Tyler, The Creator

Tyler Gregory Okonma, born in Los Angeles, California, is an American rapper, and a founding member of the Hip-Hop collective, Odd Future.

Tyler, The Creator, as he is fondly called is of mixed descent, born to a Nigerian father and an American mother. His Nigerian father has Igbo ancestry, and his American mother is of mixed African-American and European-Canadian descent.

Tyler’s unique heritage has played a significant role in shaping his identity as an artist, and his music is a reflection of his diverse cultural background. He has also noted that his mixed Nigerian-American heritage is a source of inspiration for him, and also often referenced his Nigerian roots in his music and fashion.

Tyler is currently one of hip-hop’s most critically acclaimed acts having already won two Grammy Awards, three BET Hip Hop Awards, a BRIT Award, and an MTV Video Music Award.

Tyler’s mixed Nigerian-American heritage is a source of inspiration for him, and he has often referenced his Nigerian roots in his music and fashion.

3. Wale

Olubowale Victor Akintimehin was born in Northwest, Washington, D.C. His parents were both from the Yoruba ethnic group of South-western Nigeria, and migrated from Austria to the United States in 1979.

The rapper stated in an interview that growing up in a household of Nigerian culture, he looks at himself as a black man in America, but as a Nigerian first because those are his roots.

“Wale said: “..Cause that’s my blood, I’m 100% Nigerian.”

He first gained recognition in 2006, when his song “Dig Dug (Shake It)” became popular in his hometown, leading him to become locally recognized as he continued recording music for the regional audience. Wale has experimented with Afrobeats and has worked with several Nigerian artists including Wizkid, Davido and Olamide.

4. Rotimi

Olurotimi Akinosho, known professionally as Rotimi, is a talented musician and actor who was born in Maplewood, New Jersey to a Nigerian family of Yoruba heritage.

Rotimi has performed on stage, opening for Jennifer Hudson, T.I., Estelle, and NERD; he also performed on BET’s show 106 and Park and appeared in R&B singer Keyshia Cole’s music video “Trust and Believe” as Cole’s unfaithful boyfriend.

Rotimi is among the top foreign musicians of Nigerian heritage and he is known for his exceptional skills in both acting and music. With such diverse cultural roots, Rotimi grew up with a deep appreciation for both his Nigerian heritage and American upbringing. As a musician, Rotimi has made waves in the music industry with his unique blend of Afrobeat, R&B, and hip-hop sounds.

5. Chamillionaire

Chamillionaire, whose real name is Hakeem Temidayo Seriki, was born to a Muslim Yoruba father and an African-American Christian mother in Washington D.C, and moved to Houston, Texas at the age of four. Chamillionaire’s parents separated in his early teenage years.

The rapper was born and raised in the United States and proudly identifies with his Nigerian heritage. In 2002, Chamillionaire began his solo career with regional releases that caught the attention of the Houston rap scene.

6. Nas

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones is a renowned American rapper and composer, born to a father of Nigerian roots.

The son of jazz musician Olu Dara, Nas began his musical career in 1989 under the moniker “Nasty Nas”, and recorded demos under the wing of fellow East Coast rapper Large Professor.

His illustrious musical career began when he was just a teenager, and he quickly made a name for himself in the industry. Throughout his career, Nas has been nominated for a staggering twelve Grammy Awards, cementing his place as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Despite his success, Nas has remained humble and continues to create music that resonates with people from all walks of life.

7. Maxo Kream

Emekwanem Ogugua Biosah Jr, professionally known as Maxo Kream, is a Nigerian-American rapper and songwriter from Houston-Texas. Maxo Kream is of Nigerian descent through his father, who is a Nigerian immigrant to the U.S.

His debut album Punken was released in 2018, and the follow-up and major label debut, Brandon Banks, was released in 2019. Maxo Kream is known for his honest lyricism, speaking to his past life living in poor neighborhoods within Houston, Texas.

8. Chika

Jane Chika Oranika is an American rapper, songwriter, poet, model, and actress who garnered attention on social media for her viral freestyles before signing to Warner Records in 2019.

She rose to fame when her video dubbed “A Letter to Kanye Omari West” went viral in 2018, criticizing West for his public support of Donald Trump and endorsement of political commentator Candace Owens.

9. Tobe Nwigwe

Tobechukwu Dubem “Tobe” Nwigwe is an American rapper, singer and actor. He is of Nigerian descent, and hails from the Igbo ethnic group.

The rapper began to gain a following through his Instagram and YouTube posts and videos which he

usually posted every Sunday.

Nwigwe appeared on the BET Hip Hop Awards 2018 Cypher and in 2022, Tobe received a nomination for

Best New Artist at the 65th Grammy Awards.

10. Cozz

Cody Rashad Osagie is an American rapper currently signed to J. Cole’s label Dreamville Records and Interscope Records, with his debut studio album Cozz & Effect, being released on 3rd October 2014.

Cozz was born in Los Angeles, California to a Nigerian father and a mother with roots in Louisiana. His multicultural upbringing culminated in the rapper being influenced by several genres of music, from reggae to rap.

Pro-Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland in late 2024 on allegations of terrorism-related activities, is set to appear before a Finnish court in June 2025.

Ekpa, who has been a prominent figure in the push for the secession of Biafra, is facing serious charges related to inciting violence and terrorism financing.

Naija News reports that the Finnish government announced Ekpa’s arrest alongside four others in November 2024, stating that they were being investigated for their roles in terror-related activities.

Finnish police confirmed that Ekpa, self-proclaimed “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, allegedly used social media platforms to encourage violence targeting both civilians and authorities in the South-East region of Nigeria.

According to reports from local publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.

The Finnish authorities have also placed Ekpa under sanctions, freezing his assets and economic resources, alongside 16 others, due to their suspected involvement in terrorism-related activities.

Ekpa, who was initially represented by lawyer Ilkka Kopra, now has a new legal representative, Kaarle Gummerus.

Gummerus confirmed that he had received the pre-trial case file and is preparing for the upcoming trial. The trial is now scheduled to take place in June 2025.

BBC Pidgin reported, “We reached out to Simon Ekpa’s new lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus, to find out the current status of the case and when Ekpa will be taken to court for trial.

“The lawyer confirmed that he has received the pre-trial file of the case and they will go through it to decide what to do next.

“However, when we asked him when Simon Ekpa will appear in court, he said the case will go to court in June 2025.”

No fewer than 144 persons have been killed by herdsmen in the two north central states of Plateau and Benue states in the last two weeks, as the blood-letting continued late Tuesday, with the killing of at least 13 persons, while scores of others sustained injuries, with over 50 houses razed.

Recall that within the period, 104 persons, comprising 52 in Bassa local government area and another 52 in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State, were killed by the marauding herdsmen, while at least 40 were also killed in Benue State.

In Benue, three persons were killed on April 3 when a Benue Links bus was ambushed at Ikobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area, LGA, while on April 10, two farmers were murdered by the marauders in Gwer West LGA.

Same day, three persons were killed at Mbasombo community also in Gwer East LGA, while the latest attack on Otobi Akpa in Otukpo LGA and the boundary with Nasarawa State claimed the lives of at least 13 persons, with several others declared missing.

Aside from the killings in the north central states, Boko Haram insurgents also on Tuesday, attacked Adamawa communities in Hong local government area, killing seven persons, while scores of others are still missing.

The latest killings in Benue on Tuesday evening, came as Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State yesterday announced prohibition of night grazing, transportation of cattle by vehicles after 7:00 pm, and restriction of the use of motorcycles from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am across the state until further notice, as part of measures to ward off the marauding herdsmen.

The attack on Otobi Akpa community started at about 6:00pm from the popular Otobi junction when over 20 armed herdsmen in a commando style, shot sporadically at anybody they sighted.
They also set ablaze no fewer than 50 houses.

Unfortunately most the of the vigilantes who could have stopped them from entering the main town to perpetrate their mission, had moved to Adim village of Akpa to attend a burial.

The terrifying sounds of gunshots created palpable fear as many took to their heels, while others who were curious to know what was happening ran into the herdsmen who opened fire on them, killing at least 13 persons in the process, while many escaped with gunshot wounds.

Some other victims were butchered with cutlasses, with their brains scattered around the scenes they were killed.
Investigation revealed that the killer herdsmen invaded Otobi Akpa and other Akpa communities to resist the law against open grazing which stopped them from grazing their cattle in the area.

One of the elders of the community, Adikwu Ogbe, who lamented the attack, recalled that Otobi Akpa community was one of the most peaceful communities in Idoma land, noting that in the past, the community had lived peacefully with Fulani herders until recently when they (herders) started bearing sophisticated arms and threatening the locals.

Recall that about three weeks ago, a security guard with Otukpo dam was shot and dismembered by herdsmen who enter Otobi village and shot sporadically in a night attack.

At the time of filing this report, many residents were seen fleeing the community, while search for those missing was in progress.

There was also no sign of security presence in the affected areas.

Benue State Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode, in company of heavily armed security operatives, yesterday visited the area to sympathise with many of the residents who are currently taking refuge at the Federal Government College, Otobi.

He appealed to them to remain calm, assuring that measures were being put in place to end further attack by the killers herdsmen.

Meanwhile, the community has become a ghost town as virtually everyone has fled the area for fear of another attack.

7 killed, many more missing as Boko Haram insurgents attack Adamawa community

While the herders are running riot in Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa states, Boko Haram insurgents in the early hours of yesterday, launched an attack on Adamawa communities in Hong local government, killing seven persons, while scores of others have been declared missing.

The attack, which is the fourth this year, occurred in the quiet communities of Banga and Larh and some adjoining villages in Hong LGA.

At least seven persons were confirmed dead, including a vigilante, killed by detonated explosives.

The assault also saw a police van shattered by the explosives, though its occupants miraculously escaped unharmed.
The attack in Banga claimed three lives, including two men shot dead by insurgents and a woman who fell and died during the stampede in nearby Larh.

According to locals, the attackers came in their large numbers and started shooting sporadically in all directions in the community .

“In the twinkle of an eye, the entire communities were deserted as people scampered in different directions for their lives,” Ma’am Yakub, an eyewitness told Vanguard.

He said in the ensuring confusion, many people got missing as their whereabouts are unknown.

The attack became more dreadful following the tragic loss of a vigilante in Banga, who was killed when a bomb detonated during efforts to secure the area.

“It’s heartbreaking that we are losing our people to these monsters, and now, even those protecting us are now the targets,’’ said a community leader who requested anonymity.

Local sources noted that the insurgents often plant such devices to deter security operatives from pursuing them, a strategy that had repeatedly disrupted response efforts.

The chairman of Hong local government council, Mr Waang Inuwa, who confirmed the attack, called for more military presence in the communities .

The attack on Banga and Larh underscores the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram in North-Eastern Nigeria, despite claims by authorities that the group had been significantly weakened.

“We feel abandoned. These attacks keep happening, and we’re left to fend for ourselves,” another community leader lamented .

Mutfwang prohibits night grazing, transportation of cattle

To restore calm and strengthen vigilance in Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang yesterday announced the prohibition of night grazing, transportation of cattle by vehicle after 7:00 pm, and the use of motorcycles restricted from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am across the state until further notice.

The governor in a state-wide broadcast, said the security measures were effective from Wednesday, April 16th.
His words: “I speak to you today (yeterday) not only as your governor but as a fellow son of Plateau who shares in your anguish and feels the weight of the pain inflicted upon our people.

“We are once again confronted by sorrow as heart-wrenching attacks have taken the lives of innocent citizens in our communities.

“In the late hours of Sunday, April 13, the calm of Kimakpa area of Kwall District in Bassa LGA was shattered by violent assaults on Zike village. Innocent men, women, and children were murdered in cold blood.

“Homes were torched, properties ravaged, and entire families were left in agony. These attacks occurred, even as we were still mourning the loss of over 50 lives in Bokkos.

“The scale, frequency and intent of these atrocities are unmistakable. Let us be clear: this is not random violence. This is not an isolated conflict between farmers and herders. What we are witnessing is a systematic and premeditated campaign—one that seeks to displace, destabilise, and instill terror and fear in our people and communities.

“The tragic echoes of Dogo Na Hawa, Riyom, Barkin-Ladi, Mangu, and the Christmas Eve massacres in Bokkos remain vivid. The cycle continues, but it must not endure. Enough Is Enough!

‘’As your governor, I stand resolved—Plateau shall not be overrun by fear, nor shall we accept this culture of bloodshed as the new normal. My administration is intensifying efforts to protect our people and enforce the rule of law across all local governments.

“Only days ago, I visited Hurti, Mbar, Manguna, and Daffo to witness, first hand, the devastation left behind by the terrorists. I had earlier stopped at Ruwi, where mourners were brazenly attacked at a wake.

“What I saw moved me profoundly—the suffering of displaced families now crammed into churches and temporary shelters, their lives uprooted overnight.

“But let me reassure you: my government is alive to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, and we are rising to the occasion more determined than ever.

“For far too long, our beloved state has made the headlines for the wrong reasons, thereby casting a shadow over our immense potential and deterring the inflow of much-needed foreign direct and local investments.

“These investments could have been the catalyst for harnessing our abundant natural resources and lifting our people out of poverty. We cannot afford to let this unfortunate reality persist.

‘’Despite this sorrow, the strength and courage of our people continue to inspire me. I extend heartfelt appreciation to the national and state emergency management agencies for their prompt response in providing emergency aid and comfort to survivors.

“I hereby announce the following measures, effective Wednesday, April 16th, night grazing of cattle is strictly prohibited, and transportation of cattle by vehicle is banned after 7:00 pm. The use of motorcycles is restricted from 7:00pm to 6:00am across the state until further notice.

“We are also activating community-based response systems. I urge traditional leaders and youth associations to reactivate local vigilante groups and organize night patrols in coordination with the security agencies. We must protect our communities while upholding the rule of law.”

The governor furthermore mandated the newly inaugurated Inter-Religious Council to begin immediate engagement with all stakeholders to address the deeper issues surrounding these attacks.

“I shall also be appointing a special envoy on peace to lead grassroots consultations and intelligence coordination as a fact-finding committee, comprising respected independent voices, to investigate the root cause of this resurgence in violence and offer actionable recommendations.

Emomotimi Agama, the director-general (DG) of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), says the CBEX digital trading platform is not registered with the agency.

Agama spoke on Arise Xchange on Wednesday, responding to questions on the loss of investors’ funds after the recent collapse of the CBEX trading platform.

The CBEX had reportedly promised investors a 100 percent returns, before it suddenly crashed — leading to the looting of its Ibadan office on Monday.

The director-general said the commission has repeatedly warned that any investment scheme that is not registered is illegal.

He said investors must always check if schemes are registered with the SEC, noting that the ISA 2025 defines ponzi schemes and prescribes sanctions for those involved.

“For us at the SEC, our primary responsibility is investor protection, and investor protection stems out of registration and regulation,” he said.

“When a scheme is not registered with the SEC, it becomes illegal; and is important that whoever is interested in investing in such scheme must ask the question, Are you registered with the SEC?

“If that is not the case, then it is automatically stated and known that such is an illegal activity and will not be condoned even by the SEC.”

‘SEC HAS NOT RECEIVED OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING CBEX’

Agama said the commission was unaware of CBEX’s illegal operation, stressing that no official complaints were made regarding the scheme.

“Often times with schemes like this, most people will always try to keep it away from the regulator and even keep it away from their friends, except a few group of persons whom they are interested in,” he said.

“So for us, at the SEC as we speak today, at this hour, we have not received any complaints from anyone regarding CBEX.

“If we had received any formal complaint regarding CBEX, the team at the SEC will have actually swung into action trying to get who is involved.

“However, we sympathise very much with the people, the victims, because they are Nigerians, and of course, at SEC, we will commence investigation as to where these people are, and make sure we hunt them down, because the law actually has given us the power to take them down, find them, sanction them by fining, and also sending them to the prisons for 10 years, that is the provision of the law.”

‘WE’ll CONTINUE TO EDUCATE NIGERIANS

The director-general said the SEC has persistently cautioned Nigerians against investing in schemes that seem too good to be true.

He noted that the commission uses paid advertisements, videos uploaded on the SEC website, interviews, and newspaper articles to enlighten the public.

“Ponzi scheme didn’t start today, it is a global malaise. It started in the 20th century by a man called Charles Ponzi, who clearly, at that point in time, promised that he was going to give every investor 50 percent in returns, and from then on, it became a practice by so many people to defraud people from their hard-earned resources,” Agama said.

“It is very clear that the choices made by people must be dictated and regulated by the law of the land.

“The SEC will continuously educate people. We have in the process of doing that, agreed to various forms of interview.

“We’ve also launched a podcast at the SEC providing more information towards our long term goal of launching a capital market radio, we will continue, because we know that it is not enough.

“We will continue to educate Nigerians onto the last milestone to make people understand and know the value of proper investment.”

The director-general urged Nigerians who want to invest to make sure they verify the registration status of investment schemes from the SEC.

Agama reiterated that the commission has taken several actions against Ponzi schemes in the country, resulting in the imprisonment of culprits.

He added that the SEC is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to rid the country of “unscrupulous individuals who have malicious intentions towards citizens”.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu for staying in France when there are urgent national issues deserving his attention in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media office, Abubakar said the country “is in a full-blown state of emergency,” citing the killings in Plateau and Benue states and the resurgence of Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.

On April 2, Tinubu departed for France on a two-week “working visit”.

The presidency said during the “short working visit,” Tinubu will review his administration’s achievements so far.

But the opposition has knocked the president over the trip and asked him to return home to address the spiralling insecurity in the country.

Earlier on Wednesday, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, asked the president to suspend his France retreat amid the worsening insecurity back home.

The former Anambra governor described Tinubu as a “retreating president” and said the nation is facing a wave of violent crimes without visible leadership.

Also, in his statement, Abubakar said the president’s “working visit” in France is nothing more than a vacation cloaked in official jargon, describing it as a “dereliction of duty on a catastrophic scale”.

“On April 2, 2025, President Bola Tinubu flew out to France. Had this absurd announcement come just a day earlier, Nigerians would have dismissed it as an April Fool’s joke. But sadly, it’s no prank — just another insult to a nation pushed to the brink by a presidency that treats its citizens like fools,” the statement reads.

“The official excuse? A so-called “working visit.” But Nigerians aren’t buying the spin. The presidency scrambled to clarify that it wasn’t a medical trip — how noble. But even if it’s not medical tourism, what justification is there for gallivanting across Europe while Nigeria bleeds? What kind of leader borrows billions only to blow scarce funds on vanity trips abroad? It’s not just irresponsible— it’s contemptuous.

“Let the facts speak for themselves. By the time Tinubu struts back from this latest escapade, he will have racked up a staggering 59 days in France since assuming office. “See Paris and die?” No — see Paris and abandon your country.

“While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos. Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks. Benue is bleeding. Boko Haram is seizing territory. And every single day, Nigerians sink deeper into poverty, insecurity and despair.

“This isn’t just negligence. It’s dereliction of duty on a catastrophic scale.

“If Tinubu had even a shred of empathy, he would cut his trip short and return immediately. A leader with an ounce of patriotism wouldn’t need to be begged to show up in times of crisis. The constitution says the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government. But under Tinubu, that sacred duty has been trashed.

“Let’s be honest: there is absolutely nothing Tinubu is doing in France that he couldn’t do in Lagos, or even in Iragbiji. This so-called “working visit” is nothing more than a vacation cloaked in official jargon.

“Nigeria is in a full-blown state of emergency. Not a contrived political emergency like what Tinubu declared in Rivers for partisan gain — this is a national collapse. So when, exactly, will Tinubu declare a state of emergency on his own disastrous presidency