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Over 50 Benue communities displaced by armed herdsmen – Emergency Management Agency

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Benue State

At least 50 communities across 25 council wards in five local government areas (LGAs) in Benue State have been displaced by armed herdsmen.

Data released by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) reveals that the worst-hit area is Gwer West Local Government Area, where all 15 council wards have been affected at some point.

The affected wards in Gwer West include Sengev, Gbaange/Tongov, Saav, Mbapupuu/Tswarev, Mbabuande Kyaav, Mbapa, Tsambe/Mbesev, Sengev/Yengev, Merkyegh, Nyamshi, Tijime, Tyough Ater, and Njaha.

The report was released by SEMA just days before the latest attacks in Ukum, Logo, Otukpo and Gwer East LGAs.

According to the report, titled ‘Displaced Communities in Benue State Where Fulanis Have Settled with Their Cows’, the affected local governments include Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West, Kwande, and Makurdi.

In Guma LGA, several communities in six council wards – Mbadwem, Nyiev, Mbaba, Uvir, and Mbayer/Yandev – have been taken over by the marauding herders.

In Gwer East, Mbalom council ward has also experienced displacement, with residents fleeing to safer areas.

The report further shows that at least two communities in Mbalagh and one in Bar council wards in Makurdi, the state capital, have also fallen to the attackers.

Additionally, Moon and Anwase council wards in Kwande LGA have lost a few communities to the violent herders.

“There are many more, but these are the ones I can confirm for now,” said Terna Ager, the SEMA information officer.

The devastating impact of these attacks has been echoed by Iorbee Ihagh, a retired Comptroller of Prisons and leader of the three socio-cultural groups in Benue State.

Ihagh, who is from Moon ward in Kwande LGA, expressed that the entire community had been abandoned for years due to ongoing attacks. Public facilities like markets, healthcare centers, and schools have all been destroyed.

Ihagh, who also serves as the President of Mdzou U Tiv Worldwide, renewed calls for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state due to the escalating insecurity.

Many residents displaced from their homes are currently taking refuge in 13 official internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the state, while others are staying with relatives.

Some IDPs have been living in these camps for over eight years, with little hope of returning to their ancestral lands.

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Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.

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Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.

The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.

The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.

During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.

Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.

“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

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Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos

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Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.

According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.

He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.

“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.

The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said

The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.

“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said

According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.

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Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion

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A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.

The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.

“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.

The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.

The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.

Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.

A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.

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