EVENTS

Nigerians await Tinubu’s action as herdsmen spread terror in Benue, Enugu, Abia

Published

7 months ago

June 18, 2025

President Bola Tinubu will today, Wednesday, visit Benue State following the brutal killing of over 200 villagers in the state by suspected herdsmen.

Tinubu recently announced that he would reschedule his appointments to pay a condolence visit to the people of the state on Wednesday, following last Friday’s attack in the Yelewata community that left scores of residents dead.

Ekwutosblog reports that many had criticised the president for not visiting the people of the troubled state despite the killing of scores of residents by suspected herdsmen.

He also came under attack after he charged Governor Hyacinth Alia to convene reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to end the incessant bloodshed.

Ekwutosblog reports that a fresh wave of deadly attacks being carried out by armed herdsmen have spread to parts of Enugu and Abia states, leaving residents gripped with fear and anxiety.

The attacks intensified just a few days after a gruesome massacre in Benue that claimed many lives, including children, women and the elderly.

EXCLUSIVE: Untold story of how herdsmen reduced Benue community to ashes, burnt over 300 alive

Many residents had described the attack as the single deadliest massacre in Benue’s recent history.

Prior to the bloodletting in Yelewata, there were similar attacks on other communities like Edikwu-Ankpali in Apa as well as the Tyoshin community in Naka, Gwer East LGA, where scores of persons were hacked to death.

Sadly, similar tales of terror were being unleashed on Aguamede, Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.

According to a Ekwutosblog recent report, bandits, suspected to be herdsmen, killed over 10 persons in Aguamede on Sunday.

Sources from the community claimed that the killer herdsmen were probably dropped by a helicopter that reportedly flew around the community earlier in the day.

“They did not even announce their operation with any gunshot. They just came in and started using machetes to butcher people and had killed more than 10 people in their homes, before anybody knew what was happening,” a source told DAILY POST.

Recall that a similar attack had occurred last week at Mbuji Eha-Amufu, where no less than four people were killed by the same suspected herdsmen.

Numerous reports disclosed that between 2017 and 2022 suspected armed herdsmen had attacked over 20 farm settlements in Eha-Amufu communities, resulting in the deaths of at least 123 locals.

The attacks had continued relentlessly over the years in some other parts of Enugu, notably at Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state.

DAILY POST also reports that Abia State was not spared as suspected herders recently invaded Umunneochi and Isuikwuato.

The State government on Monday confirmed an attack by armed herdsmen in the Umunneochi local government area, resulting in several fatalities.

The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, who was silent on the casualty figures, made this known while addressing journalists at the Government House in Umuahia on Monday.

“There have been some security breaches in the Umunneochi area of the state, leading to some fatalities,” Kanu said.

He added that the state security agencies had been put on full alert to tackle the security issue.

Residents recounted that the assailants stormed their communities at night, shooting indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze.

Local vigilantes were reportedly overwhelmed, while many villagers fled into nearby bushes for safety.

Expressing concern about the growing insecurity, a former United Nations Special Rapporteur and human rights lawyer, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, called on the federal government to act decisively before the insecurity spreads further.

In a statement made available to DAILY on Tuesday, Ezeilo described the tragic incident in Benue as a reflection of the escalating insecurity across the country

The senior lawyer also demanded a thorough investigation into the attack and swift justice for the victims.

“Every Nigerian’s life matters. The government must act decisively and transparently to restore peace and rebuild trust in the system,” Ezeilo said.

Also speaking to DAILY POST in an interview, Dr Kabiru Adamu, the Managing Director of Beacon Consulting Limited, said that the president’s visit was not a security approach but rather a political approach.

Adam declared that Tinubu’s journey to Benue would hopefully reduce the current political tension in the State.

The security expert further urged the President to ensure that he puts in place an effective security approach.

Adamu said: “So first of all, I strongly believe it’s a political gesture, and that’s okay. He’s a politician. He should set the tone for an effective security approach to address the issue.

“The visit itself is not a security approach. It is, like I said, a political approach, and it is important it would hopefully allow the political platform, as it were, to reduce the current political tension.

“I don’t need to tell you more. As you know, there are camps within the ruling party. The camp the governor belongs to and the camp of the SGF.

“And then I also believe there is a third or even fourth camp as well that exists. And then, of course, the dynamics between the APC, and the PDP, to whom the immediate past governor belongs, and all of that.

“So that’s breeding the violence in the state, and the visit hopefully will help reduce that tension.

“But more importantly, it is for the President to ensure that he puts in place an effective security approach.”

EVENTS

Amaigbo Community Rejoices as Internationally Recognised Azione Verde University Takes Off

Published

2 weeks ago

January 10, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The people of Amaigbo in Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State have expressed overwhelming joy following the successful take-off of the newly established Azione Verde University, an institution that has already gained international recognition for its innovative academic standards.

The historic inauguration held on 2nd January 2026, which attracted traditional rulers, education stakeholders, community leaders, youth groups, and guests from within and outside the state, as well as the diaspora, marked a new chapter in the educational development of not just Imo state but the South East region, having its management team and workforce globally rooted in the educational sector.

Speaking at the event, the Papal Nuncio to Ethiopia, Archbishop Brian Udaigwe expressed appreciation to the Founder for his insights as well as indigenes of Amaigbo for providing their lands among other resources for the university’s use while charging them to be brave and not relent in their efforts to start a new thing for a better life, noting that the greatest mistake is the fear of making a mistake as well as not taking a step at all.

Archbishop Udaigwe further charged them to be courageous to start a new thing, as well as work with discipline.

The Papal Nuncio also thanked the foreign partners for their unalloyed love and dedication to the works and projects of Azione Verde University, while calling for more partnership in the locality.

“I wish and pray that this university continue to grow and provide holistic education”, He said.

In his address, the Founder and Chancellor of Azione Verde University, Amaigbo, Rev. Father Boniface Duru, described the institution as a centre of excellence built to provide holistic and world-class education while empowering young people with skills relevant to global demands, noting that education must consist first of the mind and the human person.

“The University is not just a building but a centre for the development of the mind. Education is the bed of development because you cannot talk about development without education.

“Our goal is to produce graduates who will compete favourably anywhere in the world, while remaining rooted in values that promote sustainable development and community service.

The President General of Amaigbo Community, Chief Sir Fyne Madumere, lauded the initiative, stating that the institution will boost economic activities, create employment opportunities, and place Amaigbo on the global academic map, noting that the university is not just for Amaigbo people, but a big gift to Imo State and Nigeria at large.

Sir Fyne Madumere

Chief Madumere, however, seized the opportunity to call on the state government to come to their rescue urgently and reconstruct and repair their roads, especially as they connect to the University.

“Our appeal is for the government to come to our aid; tar the road, build drainage, and make it passable because in the next one year, we will have over One Thousand people who are schooling here and there will be a need for the President and Governor of Imo state to be visiting from time to time.

“So we continue to appeal to the government because I know our amiable Governor Hope Uzodimma is ever responsive to the yearnings of his people, so we are appealing to him to come to our aid”, Sir Fyne Madumere added.

The Chairman of the Occasion and indigene of the area, Chief Mike Onuoha (Eriri Ego) who emphasized the social and economic impact of the institution in the locality, expressed optimism that the University will provide quality education as well as first-hand research on applied education while empowering individuals and transforming populations.

Chief Mike Onuoha

Chief Eririego further noted that Azione Verde University will offer increased access to higher education, enhanced learning within the state and employment for the community.

“The benefit of having this university is that the university will create jobs that will attract investment and stimulate new businesses.

“It will also provide access to quality education. It will bring about a movement in the markets and Partnerships will build out of this”, Chief Eriri-Ego noted.

Community leaders and youths also commended the management for choosing Amaigbo as the host community, promising to provide a peaceful and supportive environment among other things for the growth of the institution; even as they made cash donations to the management.

The Institution’s Communications Manager, Andrew…. highlighted the university’s academic focus areas which include environmental sustainability, digital technology, agriculture, entrepreneurship, health sciences, and renewable energy studies.

The Communications Manager urged indigenes to always protect and support the institution as their very own, stressing that with modern facilities, international collaborations, and a strong commitment to research and innovation, Azione Verde University is poised to become one of Nigeria’s leading private universities in the coming years.

“I advise the community to protect this place because all the Italians and foreigners here are trying to build something new and give a future to the students”, Mr Andrew called.

Residents who could not contain their joy, expressed confidence that the establishment of the university will significantly improve infrastructure development, stimulate the local economy, and inspire a new generation of scholars in the region.

They said Amaigbo stands proudly as a new hub of higher learning in Imo State, as the first set of students begins academic activities.

EVENTS

EFCC Probes Alleged $1bn NPA Account Diversion Linked to Former AGF MalamiThe Economic and Financial Crimes

Published

2 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

By Our Correspondent

Commission is investigating a whistleblower’s petition alleging the diversion of over one billion dollars from a purportedly cloned Nigerian Ports Authority bank account.

The petition, submitted on January 8, 2026, accuses former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice and a private businessman, of involvement in the alleged financial misconduct.
According to the whistleblower, the funds were allegedly kept in a cloned NPA account domiciled with a commercial bank in Lagos.

The petitioner claims he alerted authorities to the existence of the account in 2018 and was instructed to assist with efforts to recover the funds on behalf of the Federal Government.

The petition further alleges that rather than being recovered, the funds were diverted through unauthorized transactions. Those named in the petition include senior officials attached to the Ministry of Justice’s asset recovery unit and a private sector figure allegedly linked to the account.

The EFCC has acknowledged receipt of the petition and issued an official reference number, confirming that investigative processes are underway. No formal charges have been filed in connection with the allegations at the time of reporting.

The whistleblower’s legal representatives have also requested security protection, citing concerns for his safety as investigations continue.
The development comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving Malami in separate matters, which he has consistently denied. The former minister has not yet issued a public response to the latest allegations.

EVENTS

Nigeria’s SGF Akume marries Queen Zaynab, Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife

Published

4 weeks ago

December 26, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Amid Nigeria’s security challenges, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, has married a new wife.

The SGF’s new bride is Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Abraham Double-d Dajoh shared the announcement in a Facebook post on Friday.

The post read: “We, the entire Dajoh family, happily join our daddy, uncle, and brother, His Excellency, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh, in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, into the Dajoh family.

“We appreciate and thank the fans and supporters of Sen. Akume for always standing by him. We enjoin every one of you to continue to support his Excellency even in this beautiful union with Queen Zaynab. We wish you all a happy Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year.”

In the post, the family welcomed the new bride to “Benue State, the Food Basket of the Nation,” to “Mbakor, the seat of leadership of the Tiv nation,” and to “the Dajoh family, the home of your darling husband”.

Previously, Queen Zaynab Otiti Obanor was married to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

She tied the knot with the Ooni in a traditional ceremony held on March 12, 2016, in Benin City, Edo State, followed by a thanksgiving and reception on March 13, 2016, at the Royal Court of Ife in Osun State.

But the marriage crashed in August 2017.

The SGF’s marriage is coming at a time Nigeria is grappling with the security challenges, with terrorists and bandits unleashing violence on innocent citizens.

In a bid to address the situation, especially perceived Christian genocide in the country, United States President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against terrorist enclaves in North-West Nigeria.

Hours later, residents of Kwara State were thrown into panic after an explosion in the Offa area of the state.