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Otobi-Akpa killings: Federal varsity Otukpo decries attacks on host community

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The Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), has decried the recent brutal killings in Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Otobi Akpa, which hosts the university’s permanent site, recently came under relentless assault by suspected herdsmen.

In a demonstration of solidarity, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of FUHSO, Professor Stephen Abah, led a high-powered university delegation to the palace of the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty John Elaigwu, and to the grieving community’s village square, where he met with the District Head, Chief Pastor Wilson Ahola.

Abah described the massacre as “a heinous act of barbarity and man’s inhumanity to man.”

He expressed profound sorrow over the incident, which coincides with FUHSO’s planned relocation to its permanent site in Akwete-Akpa a moment of institutional progress now overshadowed by grief and loss.

“What could possibly justify the slaughter of innocent, peace-loving people in their own homes?” he asked solemnly.

“This community, which plays host not only to our University but also to the Federal Government College and the Otobi Dam, deserves protection, not persecution. The horror visited upon Otobi Akpa is beyond comprehension.”

The vice-chancellor called on security agencies to act swiftly in identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators.

He also appealed to the Nigerian Police Force to establish a permanent police station within the Otobi Akpa axis, to secure this critical federal zone and help prevent future attacks.

During the visit to the Och’Idoma’s palace, Abah conveyed FUHSO’s deepest condolences to the paramount ruler of the Idoma Kingdom.

In response, the visibly emotional monarch revealed that one of the victims was his personal pastor. He called on all Idoma sons and daughters, both at home and abroad, to speak with one voice in demanding justice.

“This is not just about Otobi Akpa,” the monarch said.

“This is about the soul of our people, our heritage and our future. We must speak with one voice and demand justice for our slain.”

The monarch emphasized Otobi Akpa’s strategic significance not only as Otukpo’s primary water source but also as the proud host of Nigeria’s first Federal University of Health Sciences noting the urgent need for a lasting security framework in the region.

The FUHSO delegation included senior members of University management: Acting Registrar Mr. Michael Ogiji; University Librarian Dr. Kathryn Philip; Provost of the College of Medicine Professor Rose Okwunu Abah; Director of Academic Planning and Control Professor Edache Sylvanus Okpe; Director of the Institute of Global Health and Health Security Professor Onyemocho Audu; Chief Security Officer Mr. Michael Anebi; and Head of Protocol Mr. Francis Onmoke.

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Police finally returned my stolen AI Ray-Ban sunglasses – Sowore

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The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has returned the Artificial intelligence, AI, Ray-Ban sun glasses back to activist politicians, Omoyele Sowore.

Sowore had alleged that the sun glass was stolen during a protest by retired police officers on July 21, 2025 at the Force headquarters.

The protest was organised to demand improved welfare and retirement benefits for Nigerian police officers.

During the peaceful protest, Sowore had claimed that the glass was stolen by one Aku Victor Chiemerie.

However, Sowore confirmed the return of the glasses in a post on X.

“Today, the Nigeria Police Force returned my stolen Ray-Ban Meta eyeglasses, stolen by the National Thief, Aku Victor Chiemerie, to me,” he wrote.

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VP Shettima commissions library, other projects in Calabar

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The Vice President, Kasshim Shettima has commissioned a state of the art library in Calabar recently refurbished by Gov Bassey Otu of Cross River State

He also commissioned the two newly acquired aircrafts by the government of Cross River State in the Margaret Ekpo international airport Calabar.

The two now increases the fleet of Cally Air airline to four.

The Vice President, who represented President Bola Tinubu, commended the State government for the feat.

Governor Bassey Otu expressed gratitude to the President for permitting Shettima to represent him at the auspicious occasion.

Otu said he is consolidating on the efforts and achievements of his predecessors, Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke and Ben Ayade who laid good foundation in three different important areas.

He said the Foundations have helped him to consolidate.

“Donald Duke came with tourism mentality, Senator Imoke focused on rural development while Ayade looked at industries.

“It was Ayade that initiated the aviation business. He actually purchased the first two aircrafts.

“I am now building on their efforts. With these two new aircrafts we’re poised to bolster the tourism potential of the state.

“We’ll add two more aircrafts before long to dominate the gulf of Guinea air route.”

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Nigerian Govt arraigns Al-Shabab terrorists over killing of 40 worshippers in Owo church

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The Federal Government on Monday arraigned five men before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack at St. Francs Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in which over 40 worshippers died

The five accused persons are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.

Over 40 people were reported to have died in the attack, while over 100 others sustained injuries.

The five defendants were arraigned on a nine-count terrorism charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025 filed by the Department of State Services, DSS.

They are accused of being members of Al Shabab terrorist group, belonging to a cell in Kogi State.

The defendants are also alleged to have carried out the attack in furtherance of their religious ideology.

They pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them by an official of the court.

Following their not guilty plea, prosecuting lawyer, Calistus Eze urged the court to order that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the DSS pending trial.

Defence lawyer, Abdullahi Muhammad however prayed the court to order the DSS to allow members of the defendants’ families and their lawyers to have access to them.

Muhammad said the defendants have been in custody since 2022 when they were arrested and have not had access to family members and lawyers.

Eze said it was the standard practice that detainees’ family members and lawyers should be granted access after a formal written request.

He noted that it has become inevitable at this stage that the defendants be allowed access to their lawyers to enable them prepare their defence.

Ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the DSS.

Justice Nwite also ordered that the DSS grant the defendants access to members of their families and their lawyers.

He then adjourned till August 19 for the commencement of trial.

Some counts in the charge read:

* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar adults, males, with others still at large, sometime in 2021, did join and became members of AL Shabab Terrorist Group, with cell in Kogi State and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25(1) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 30th May, 2022; 37 June, 2022 and 4 June, 2022, at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, Adavi LGA, Kogi State and behind Omialafa Central Mosque, Ose LGA, Ondo State, respectively, attended and held meetings, where you agreed to and planned for the terrorist attack, which you carried out on 5™ June, 2022, at St. Francs Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(a) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, with intent to further your religious ideology and while armed with IEDs and AK 47 rifles, did attack worshippers, held them hostage and in the process, caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons, including Onileke Ayodele, John Blessing, Nselu Esther and Ogungbade Peter and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 24(2)(a) of the same Act.

* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, had in your possession IEDs and AK 47 rifles, with which you attacked worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, held them hostage, killed over 40 persons and caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(1)(2) and (3)(v) and punishable under Section 24(1) and (2) of TPPA, 2022.

* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, with intent to cause death, did detonate Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which led to the death of over 40 persons, including: Ajanaku John; Onuoha Deborah; Onileke Esther and John Bosede and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 42 (a)(ii) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church , Owo, Ondo State, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, did detonate Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons, including: Onuchukwu Happiness, Ogungbade Vivan and Nnakwe Paschaline Ugochinyerem and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 42(a)(i) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

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