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Ebonyi land dispute: Lawyer petitions CDS, DSS, CP, others over attacks in Amasiri
Activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has petitioned the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, Commandant Nkwegu Military Cantonment in Abakaliki, Director General of the Department of State Service, and Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State over military aggression in Amasiri, Afikpo in Ebonyi State.
Amasiri and Oso Edda communities have been at war following a clash over ancestral lands.
The attack, which targeted Ama-iyime and Ozara-Okangwu of Amasiri, saw several properties worth millions of naira burnt while several other valuables were also looted in the process.
Last week, military personnel had stormed the Amasiri community in large numbers over the clash between both communities.
However, Idam lamented that the military incursion brought about brutality while aggression reigned freely against the Amasiri community.
The petition, titled “Re-Emergence of Military Invasion, Brutality, and Aggression Reign Freely Against My Community, Amasiri,” reads:
“The above subject refers.
“As a civil rights and public interest lawyer of Amasiri indigene, I write in pensive but helpless emotion to yet again draw the attention of well-meaning Nigerians and the authorities to the above subject matter, yearning for urgent intervention.
“The crisis between Oso Edda and Amasiri in Ebonyi State, which has regrettably occasioned the loss of several lives and properties, has continued to pose tension, hostility, and anxiety among the two neighbouring communities (Oso Edda and Amasiri) in Ebonyi State, despite efforts by Amasiri indigenes to pursue amicable settlement options only in resolving the matter, even in the face of provocations.
“Quite disturbing is that on 11th April 2025, the stakeholders of Amasiri, in pursuance of their resolve to seek a peaceful alternative to the resolution of the conflicting issues with their Oso Edda neighbour, attended a peace committee set up by the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State, following an invitation for that purpose, which was also attended by several other stakeholders in the old Afikpo Zone.
“Unfortunately, the Oso Edda neighbouring community refused, ignored, and completely rebuffed the invitation to attend the peace committee and instead seized the opportunity to again embark on another round of attacks against certain communities in Amasiri while her stakeholders were away in Abakaliki seeking a peaceable settlement to the conflicting issues.
“An incident that has triggered the already existing tension, anxiety, and unrest among the once most blissful and quiet community of Amasiri in Ebonyi State.
“While Amasiri indigenes and visitors who identify with her are targeted for onslaught by their estranged Oso Edda neighbouring community, who are now on a rampage along the Okigwe-Afikpo federal highway, waylaying vehicles and fishing out commuters who are either of Amasiri origin or identify with Amasiri. This coordinated aggression is freely carried out uninterruptedly as a result of tacit silence from the government of Ebonyi State.
“More worrisome is that there is a totally unprovoked, unwarranted, and needless military resurgence in my community, Amasiri. Overnight, the military, reportedly detailed from Nkwegu Barracks, reinvaded yet again my community, breaking homes, destroying properties, arresting the young and old, and shooting sporadically in a totally peaceful area, without any news of any form of attacks from Amasiri or crisis in Amasiri, while leaving the aggressor, her Edda neighbouring community. This unrest is reportedly aided, sponsored, and coordinated by powerful politicians in Edda zone who have deployed their contacts in government to set the military at all costs against my people in Amasiri, just as a bait to secure a major pogrom or massacre of Amasiri people, simply to achieve their age-long desire to take over her ancestral land.
“The public is hereby notified that there is no crisis nor violence in Amasiri, and her people have not in the least behaved in any manner to warrant a military presence.
“I am constrained to yet again call on Nigerians to speak against the ongoing needless military aggression and urge the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commandant Nkwegu Military Cantonment to withdraw the military operation in Amasiri, which is totally unwarranted and unprovoked, even as I prevail on the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Francis Ogbonnia Nwifuru, to quickly intervene in this matter to save the lives and properties of the peaceful people of Amasiri.
“The governor is here again informed that there is total unrest in Amasiri, which is occasioned by the military; homes are deserted, farmlands are also not safe, and economic activities have been halted as anxiety and tension now possess the hitherto quiet and peaceful land. The governor is urged to most urgently break the deafening silence and intervene in the matter to restore peace in Amasiri.
“In a loud but very helpless voice, I urge the governor of Ebonyi State to quickly and directly address the situation personally as the Chief Security Officer of the state to curtail the ongoing intimidation, harassment, and prevent a possible carnage on the defenceless and vulnerable people of Amasiri.
“Let the whole world know that there was no reason for the resurgence or re-invasion of the military. The people have remained peaceful and have been attending all the peace meetings called for by the authorities in search of peace.
“The military re-invasion in Amasiri remains unlawful, ill-motivated, self-serving, unwarranted, illegal, unprovoked, and must be condemned by every Nigerian.”
News
Police Arrest Pastor, Islamic Cleric And One Other Over Possession Of Human Parts In Oyo
The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended three suspects, including a pastor and an Islamic cleric, for allegedly possessing human body parts in Ibadan.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on 24th March, 2026.
According to the PPRO, a patrol team intercepted an unregistered motorcycle and arrested the rider.
Upon searching the pillion, a package containing human intestine was recovered.
The suspect confessed that he had obtained the items from an unknown individual and sells them to one Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo.
Onaolapo and Ayodele were subsequently tracked and arrested.
The duo confessed to purchasing the suspected human parts from Oyategbe Joseph.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public of a recent arrest involving the unlawful possession and sale of suspected human parts in Ibadan, highlighting the Command’s commitment to proactive policing and the protection of lives and public health,” the statement read
“In line with its proactive measures to rid the state of criminal activities, the Command routinely conducts stop-and-search operations, which serve as a key strategy for detecting and preventing illegal acts before they escalate.
“It was during one such operation along Adekile area of Agugu that a patrol team intercepted an unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycle.
“During a search of the pillion, the rider was apprehended on the spot, and a package containing flesh suspected to be human parts (intestine) was recovered.
“Following this discovery, the apprehended pillion rider, identified as Oyategbe Joseph, male, of Ibadan, was interrogated.
“He confessed that he had obtained the suspected human parts from an unknown individual at Oritaperin area and further admitted to selling the items to two persons: Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo, male, aged 46 years, and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo, male, aged 55 years.
“Acting promptly on this intelligence, the Command swiftly apprehended Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo and brought them to the station for interrogation.
“Both suspects confessed to purchasing the suspected human parts from Oyategbe Joseph.
“The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a discreet and thorough investigation.
“Upon the conclusion of investigations, all suspects will be charged to court.
“As a result of these coordinated actions, all three suspects are currently in police custody, and the Command reassures the public that every necessary measure is being taken to ensure that those involved are brought to justice.
“In conclusion, the Oyo State Police Command appeals to members of the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report any information regarding the possession or sale of human parts to the nearest police station or security agency, emphasizing that community cooperation remains critical in maintaining law and order.”
News
12-Year-Old Boy Arrested for S£xually Ass@ulting Woman In Her 60s And Leaving Her With Serious Injuries
A12-year-old boy has appeared in a UK court after he was accused of s£xually ass@ulting a woman in her 60s, leaving her seriously injured.
The woman was found in a property north of Birmingham city centre at around 6.15pm on March 18, bleeding heavily from several wounds and barely conscious, a court heard on Tuesday.
The woman was lying on the floor, n@ked apart from a t-shirt, with cuts to her chest and face, prosecutor Colin Charvill told Birmingham Youth Court.
She remains in hospital in a serious condition, having been placed in an induced coma.
A boy aged 12 has been charged with segxwal assault and wounding, as well as an offence of theft on the same day and intentional strangulation in relation to an alleged incident on February 11.
The defendant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in court today where he indicated pleas of not guilty to all of the charges.
He was remanded to youth detention accommodation by District Judge David Murray ahead of an appearance at Birmingham Crown Court on April 21.
West Midlands Police said in a statement: ‘Our enquiries remain ongoing, but we understand how concerning this will be within the community.
‘Our officers will be continuing to provide reassurance in the local area.
‘If anyone has any information regarding suspicious behavior on 18 March or in the days leading up to last Wednesday, details can be submitted via the Major Incident Public Portal or via 101 quoting log 4888 of 18 March.’
News
Christian And Muslim Women Unite To Form Vigilante Group In Jos, Patrol Streets At Night To Combat Crime (Video)
Amid growing insecurity and its escalating effects on local communities, a group of women in Jos has established an all-female vigilante group to tackle violence, theft, and drug-related crimes in the area.
The initiative, highlighted in a Reuters feature on Tuesday, brings together women who say they were compelled to act following what they described as repeated failures of government security promises.
According to members, the group was created as a grassroots effort to contribute to the safety and stability of their communities.
Armed with little more than whips and identification cards, the women patrol neighbourhoods and confront suspected drug dealers and petty criminals. Despite limited resources, they say their presence has begun to yield results.
“We have been able to help reduce thefts, taking of drugs and other vices,” Blessing Ngozi Emmanuel, identified as the group’s leader, was quoted as saying.
The vigilante team currently comprises about 20 women from both Muslim and Christian backgrounds, reflecting a rare show of unity across religious lines in a region often marked by tension.
They conduct nightly patrols between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., focusing on areas they consider most vulnerable to crime.
However, their work has not come without risks. Some members have reportedly been injured during operations, while others have received threats.
One member said she was warned that she could be made to “disappear” if she continued her involvement.
Despite these dangers, the women insist their mission is strictly to support community security, not to replace formal law enforcement.
They also expressed frustration over the lack of official recognition or support, noting that it was only weeks ago that local government officials visited them, despite months of active operations.
The emergence of the group underscores the worsening security situation in Plateau State, where incidents of violence, abduction, and communal attacks have persisted.
Earlier on Tuesday, SaharaReporters reported the abduction of a senior cleric of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Chairman of its Board of Trustees.
The cleric was reportedly taken by unknown gunmen from his residence in Farin Gida, Jos. The incident was confirmed by a source at the church’s headquarters, while a message circulated on its official WhatsApp platform urged members to pray for his safety and swift release.
Jos is not the only part of Plateau grappling with insecurity. In February, survivors recounted how suspected Berom militias allegedly intercepted a commercial vehicle in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, dragged out five trader-passengers, and k!lled them.
The attack reportedly occurred along the Nding axis, just hours after seven people were said to have been k!lled in Ratatis community, Dorowa Babuje, by suspected armed bandits.
One survivor, Abdulazeez Ibrahim, a resident of Gangare in Jos North Local Government Area, described how the victims, identified as Hausa traders travelling to Pankshin for business, were stopped and attacked.
Against this backdrop of persistent violence, the women-led vigilante group in Jos represents both a response to insecurity and a reflection of growing public frustration over gaps in official protection.
Promises by the government to ensure safer communities have failed to materialise with many k!lled, kidnapped from time to time.
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