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There is intensified attempt to annihilate Middle Belt region – Forum cries to International community

Published

4 years ago

April 15, 2022

Editor

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), has observed has said that there is a calculated attempt by suspected Fulani militia to increase attacks on the Middle Belt region with the sole purpose of annihilating the communities.

The forum noted that “as the 2023 campaigns gather momentum, the intensity of these attacks is set to increase, with the sole purpose of annihilating communities of the Middle Belt by the invaders.

“The increase in the level of massacres, devastation of communities and kidnapping of members of the Middle Belt Region extraction is aimed at impoverishing and disempowering the people and creating chaos that will render them as refugees in their own ancestral homes.”

The National President of Middle Belt Forum, Dr Pogu Bitrus, in a statement explained that the forum’s attention had been drawn to the renewed vicious attacks on communities of the Middle Belt Region in Southern Kaduna, Southern Kebbi, Niger, Plateau and Benue States, “that have led to hundreds of lives lost and decimation of our once thriving communities.”

It observed that on 8th March, 2022, “daredevil terrorists” mounted an ambush for members of a vigilante group called ‘Yan-Sa-Kai’ in Zuru, Kebbi State, saying that the terrorists killed 65 of them, while attempts by the security forces to bring the bandits to justice led to the murder of 13 soldiers and five policemen, bringing the total of number of the dead to 83.

It added that one week after the assault on Zuru Emirate, “the blood-thirsty criminals” attacked a police station in Nasko town in Magala Local Government Area of Niger State on March 15, 2022, where they slaughtered no fewer than eight people, comprising the divisional police officer, three policemen and four members of the community’s vigilante group.

The forum also stated that a week after the murder of the DPO and seven others in Nasko, another group of butchers, dressed in military uniforms, on March 22, 2022, launched an attack on four communities: Tsonje, Agban, Katanga and Kadarko, all within Kagoro Chiefdom in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State and killed no fewer than 34, according to the Kaduna State Government and razed 35 homes down.

“Less than seven days after the bedlam on the four Kagoro communities, members of a madcap gang bombed an Abuja-Kaduna bound train on March 28, 2022. The blood-spilling outlaws abducted scores of passengers and murdered eight persons, among others. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is yet to account for the whereabouts of 165 passengers that were on the ill-fated trip,” the statement explained.

The statement noted that while the nation was mourning these avoidable murders, another deadly assaults on Kadanye village in Kajuru Local Government Area and Akilbu village in Kachia Local Government Area left eight persons, mostly women and children, dead, while 28 were abducted on April 6, 2022.

The forum lamented, “These killings seemed to have hit the peak on Sunday April 10, 2022, when another group of armed brigands pounced on four villages in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State and killed about 80 people in cold blood.

“While these communities were still in deep mourning, another terror group launched yet another deadly assault on a military base located in Pole Wire Village in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, slaying 12 soldiers and injuring 19 military personnel.”

“To clearly convince the world they were in charge”, the bandits, the statement said, “in a video clip shot in front of the captured armoured tank, announced the release of the Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Alhaji Alwan Ali Hassan, on compassionate grounds, saying that thought they hinged the release of the BOA MD on the Ramadan season, the terrorists threatened to kill the kidnapped train passengers if the government did not meet their demands.”

It explained that another group of gunmen would re-enact a horror scene on Monday April 11, 2022 in three local government areas of Logo, Tarka and Guma in Benue State by killing no fewer than 25 persons, including a traditional ruler, Zaki Unongo Shaayange, stressing that in the three attacks on Plateau, Kaduna and Benue that took place within 24 hours, no fewer than 117 lives were lost, including 12 military personnel.

The forum, therefore, condemned what it called “this gradual return to the bloody days of horrifying assaults that are presently assuming a genocidal level”, saying that no nation can survive this level of crippling insecurity that had rendered life short and brutish for many communities in the Middle Belt Region.

The forum said it was irrevocably convinced that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari had abandoned “its constitutional responsibility of stopping these recurring deadly attacks on our peoples.”

“We are still at a loss why the government has not found it expedient to engage local communities on how best to defend themselves against these highly sophisticated terrorists. The Forum completely aligns with the position of the Benue State Governor, His Excellency Dr Samuel Ortom who has declared that our besieged communities must rise up to the challenges of the time and defend their lives and property,” the group said.

It called on the international community to beam its searchlight on the horrendous massacres of the Middle Belt people, being carried out under the watch of President Buhari and the refusal of the government to deal with perpetrators of those recurring killings.

It said that the Middle Belt Region had lost faith in the capacity of President Buhari to secure the lives and property of Nigerians and called on their people to be alert and use whatever is available to them to stand firm and resist the bloodthirsty invaders.

“We call on our communities to be security conscious as they celebrate Easter. We must never allow ourselves to be caught unawares by those inflicting all forms of barbarities and threatening our existential survival,” the forum stated.

Related Topics:Dr. Pogu Bitrus featured Middle Belt Forum (MBF)

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FG Announces Thursday, Friday As Public Holidays For Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

Published

13 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Editor

The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Thursday, 19th March and Friday, 20th March, as public holidays to mark the celebration of which signifies the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, extended warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the minister extended warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the fasting period.

Ajani said the Minister urged Muslims to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice, which were emphasised during the holy month.

He also called on all Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the continued peace, unity, and prosperity of the nation.

While wishing the Muslim faithful a joyful Eid-el-Fitr celebration, the Minister encouraged citizens to celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged in society.

“The federal government remains committed to fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians,” the statement added.

While wishing Muslim faithful a joyful Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, the minister encouraged citizens to celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged in society.

The statement added, “The Federal Government remains committed to fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.”

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JUST IN: Soludo Takes Oath For Final Four-Year Term

Published

18 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Editor

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo and his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Gilbert Ibezim, have officially been sworn in for a second term in office.

The inauguration ceremony, which took place at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, was attended by a host of high-profile dignitaries, including; Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was elected for a second term in the Nov. 8, 2025 off-cycle governorship poll in the state.

He took the oath of office alongside his deputy at about 11:05 am.

The Chief Judge of the State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, administered the oaths of office and allegiance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the duo.

Both the governor and his deputy were accompanied by their wives and members of their families.

The programme began on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with an interdenominational service at the International Convention Centre. The event marked the end of Soludo’s first tenure and included prayers for a successful second term.

Details shortly…

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President Tinubu, First Lady Begin Historic UK State Visit

Published

20 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Editor

President Bola Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, has departed Abuja for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom, marking the first such trip by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.

Tinubu is set to become the first Nigerian president hosted at Windsor Castle by the British monarch. More details on this visit can be found on official government channels.

Their flight left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 10: 00 am on Tuesday.

They were seen off at the airport by a delegation led by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, service chiefs; Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, among others.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday disclosed that the President and the First Lady would be guests of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.

President Tinubu is also the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.

“Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a deep history of ties and a special bond. The purpose of this visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for collaboration on issues such as immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange,” the statement read.

The visit will feature a state banquet hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian guests, and private discussions between the King and the President.

Their Majesties will invite President Tinubu and the First Lady to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria.

The King and the President will also meet with organizations engaged in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally.

President Tinubu will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, which will lead to expanded bilateral engagement between senior officials of both countries.

The meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.

The President will witness the signing of a landmark £746 million financing deal between the UK Export Finance and the Nigerian Ports Authority and Federal Ministry of Finance to support the refurbishment of two major national maritime infrastructure — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

The President will also be the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, showcasing modern arts and culture, and will attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and the diaspora community.

Members of the President’s entourage include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.

Others are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.

Also on the trip are Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.); National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.

The last Nigerian state visit to the United Kingdom was in 1989 when President Ibrahim Babangida visited during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit.