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Bloody Sunday as suspected armed herders kill 16 in Benue community

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At least 16 people were reportedly killed by suspected armed herders in Nobi community, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to a local source, the assailants stormed the community in the early hours of Sunday and unleashed terror.

Angered by the development, youths and women from the community took to major streets in Otukpo, including the palace of the Och’Idoma, to protest the killings.

As at press time, the protesters had blocked all entrances into the ancient town, including the Enugu–Otukpo and Makurdi–Otukpo roads.

One of the protesters, who identified herself as Comfort Inalegwu, told our correspondent in a telephone interview on Sunday, “Some Fulani herdsmen, between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. today, attacked Nobi community in Otukpo, shooting sporadically, which made residents flee.

“At least 16 people were killed this morning during the attack. I lost my sister and two of her children in the attack. The Fulani entered her house and shot them. Their corpses are now at the morgue of Otukpo General Hospital.”

Inalegwu, who said several people were also injured during the attack, threatened that women would continue to protest and ensure that elections were not held in the area unless the government stopped the incessant killings of innocent people in Idoma land.

She added that many people were still missing as of the time she spoke with our correspondent.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killings, describing them as “not only a breach of peace, but also a barbaric and inhuman assault on the sanctity of life and the collective soul of the people of Benue State.”

The condemnation was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, and made available to journalists in Makurdi.

The statement read in part, “The suspected armed herders reportedly invaded Akpachi Village in Akpa, Otukpo Local Government Area, between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. while residents were asleep. The attackers killed scores of people, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

“These acts of mindless bloodshed are a direct attempt to sabotage the progress of our state.”

Alia, who expressed sadness over the attack, said, he “shares in the grief and anger of the people of Otukpo and the entire Benue South Senatorial District,” saying, ‘Your lives are precious, and I can assure you that your ancestral lands will not be surrendered to fear.’”

The governor said the people of the state had consistently demonstrated remarkable restraint and commitment to peace but warned that such restraint must never be mistaken for weakness.

While consoling the people of Otukpo, the governor said, “My government stands firmly with you, and we will not allow our communities to be turned into killing fields.”

He directed all security agencies operating in the state to liaise with their counterparts in neighbouring states and to “swing into action” with renewed vigour by intensifying surveillance and patrols across the affected communities and border areas.

He also called on security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators and to deploy additional personnel and resources to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further attacks.

While calling on Benue residents to remain vigilant, the governor urged every citizen to cooperate with the police and military by providing timely and credible intelligence, saying, “Security is a collective responsibility, and your information is a vital tool in our defence.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

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METRO

POLICE RECOVERS PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT WORTH OVER N21 MILLION FROM SERIAL BURGLAR IN AKWA IBOM

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Nicholas Olamide, a male native of Ibogi, Ile-Ife, Osun State, who resides in Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom State has been arrested in connection to a case of burglary.

According to a Press statement by Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the arrest also led to the recovery of photographic equipments worth over twenty one million naira only (N21m).

The press statement narrates how the arrest and recovery happened following a written petition received on 3rd September 2026 from one Aniekan.

According to the statement, Aniekan had reported that his photo studio had been burgled by unknown persons who gained access through the roof.

The incident was discovered on 24th August 2026, and several valuable items were reportedly carted away. The stolen property included a Canon 6D Mark II camera, Nikon D850 camera, Sony A7 Mark II camera, AD200 studio light, AD600 studio light, Shaker studio light and a box of memory cards, with the total value estimated at N13,140,000.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, Police operatives commenced discreet investigation and intelligence-led follow-up, which culminated in the arrest, on 7th September 2026, of one

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to his involvement in the reported burglary and subsequently led investigators to the locations of other suspects and suspected stolen property.

His disclosures led the operatives to Abasiakan Ikpembe of Abak Local Government Area and Edward Francis, ‘M’, of Afaha Ube Street, Uyo, where several of the stolen items, alongside other articles reasonably suspected to have been stolen, were recovered.

In a further development arising from sustained interrogation and follow-up investigation, the principal suspect allegedly disclosed his involvement in additional burglary and stealing incidents within Uyo and other parts of Akwa Ibom State.

According to the ongoing investigation, the suspect allegedly admitted that between 28th July and 5th August 2026, he burgled a photo studio located at No. 135 Aka Road, Uyo and stole various photographic equipment and accessories.

Items reportedly stolen from the studio include an Itel A80 mobile phone, tripods, LED light tripod, bracket, Godox AD200 and AD600 studio lights, Godox speedlight, Godox triggers, Sony A7 camera, Sony 50mm lens, Gimbal R3 Mini, photo lights, make-up bag, AD600 bag, speedlight bag, 700GB drive and AD600 chargers, with the estimated value of the stolen property put at approximately N8 million.

The suspect further allegedly confessed that on 25th August 2026, he entered a photo studio at Aka Estate, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, and stole a Canon camera and lens belonging to one Richard.

Following the information provided, operatives traced and arrested another suspect, identified as Wisdom Sunday, ‘M’, of No. 166 Oron Road, Uyo. Some of the stolen items, as well as other property reasonably suspected to be stolen, were recovered from the location.

Preliminary investigation further indicates that the principal suspect is allegedly a repeat offender who was recently released from the correctional facility in June 2026. Investigators are currently working to establish his possible involvement in other similar burglary and stealing cases within and outside the State.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the operatives for their swift response, intelligence gathering and professional handling of the investigation.

The Commissioner reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks, recovering stolen property and ensuring that perpetrators of burglary, stealing and other forms of criminality are brought to justice.

He particularly urged members of the public, especially owners of businesses and valuables, to remain vigilant, strengthen the security of their premises and promptly report suspicious movements and criminal activities to the Police.

The Command also calls on members of the public who may have fallen victim to similar burglary or theft incidents to come forward with relevant information or documentation that may assist investigators in identifying and recovering their property.

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METRO

POLICE RECOVERS PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT WORTH OVER N21 MILLION FROM SERIAL BURGLAR IN AKWA IBOM

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Nicholas Olamide, a male native of Ibogi, Ile-Ife, Osun State, who resides in Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom State has been arrested in connection to a case of burglary.

According to a Press statement by Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the arrest also led to the recovery of photographic equipments worth over twenty one million naira only (N21m).

The press statement narrates how the arrest and recovery happened following a written petition received on 3rd September 2026 from one Aniekan.

According to the statement, Aniekan had reported that his photo studio had been burgled by unknown persons who gained access through the roof.

The incident was discovered on 24th August 2026, and several valuable items were reportedly carted away. The stolen property included a Canon 6D Mark II camera, Nikon D850 camera, Sony A7 Mark II camera, AD200 studio light, AD600 studio light, Shaker studio light and a box of memory cards, with the total value estimated at N13,140,000.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, Police operatives commenced discreet investigation and intelligence-led follow-up, which culminated in the arrest, on 7th September 2026, of one

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to his involvement in the reported burglary and subsequently led investigators to the locations of other suspects and suspected stolen property.

His disclosures led the operatives to Abasiakan Ikpembe of Abak Local Government Area and Edward Francis, ‘M’, of Afaha Ube Street, Uyo, where several of the stolen items, alongside other articles reasonably suspected to have been stolen, were recovered.

In a further development arising from sustained interrogation and follow-up investigation, the principal suspect allegedly disclosed his involvement in additional burglary and stealing incidents within Uyo and other parts of Akwa Ibom State.

According to the ongoing investigation, the suspect allegedly admitted that between 28th July and 5th August 2026, he burgled a photo studio located at No. 135 Aka Road, Uyo and stole various photographic equipment and accessories.

Items reportedly stolen from the studio include an Itel A80 mobile phone, tripods, LED light tripod, bracket, Godox AD200 and AD600 studio lights, Godox speedlight, Godox triggers, Sony A7 camera, Sony 50mm lens, Gimbal R3 Mini, photo lights, make-up bag, AD600 bag, speedlight bag, 700GB drive and AD600 chargers, with the estimated value of the stolen property put at approximately N8 million.

The suspect further allegedly confessed that on 25th August 2026, he entered a photo studio at Aka Estate, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, and stole a Canon camera and lens belonging to one Richard.

Following the information provided, operatives traced and arrested another suspect, identified as Wisdom Sunday, ‘M’, of No. 166 Oron Road, Uyo. Some of the stolen items, as well as other property reasonably suspected to be stolen, were recovered from the location.

Preliminary investigation further indicates that the principal suspect is allegedly a repeat offender who was recently released from the correctional facility in June 2026. Investigators are currently working to establish his possible involvement in other similar burglary and stealing cases within and outside the State.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the operatives for their swift response, intelligence gathering and professional handling of the investigation.

The Commissioner reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks, recovering stolen property and ensuring that perpetrators of burglary, stealing and other forms of criminality are brought to justice.

He particularly urged members of the public, especially owners of businesses and valuables, to remain vigilant, strengthen the security of their premises and promptly report suspicious movements and criminal activities to the Police.

The Command also calls on members of the public who may have fallen victim to similar burglary or theft incidents to come forward with relevant information or documentation that may assist investigators in identifying and recovering their property.

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ETINAN COUNCIL PARTNERS OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY TO MARK 2026 WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK WITH GIFTS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, NURSING MOTHERS

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Pregnant women and nursing mothers in Etinan Local Government Area had cause to smile as the Ibom Open Maternity Project stormed the Primary Health Centre Base along Secretariat Road, Etinan to celebrate world breastfeeding week 2026.

The outreach forms part of the ongoing IOM Medical Mission aimed at boosting maternal and child health through the distribution of essential care packages and medical support to beneficiaries.

Representing the Executive Chairman of Etinan LGA, Hon. Uko Umoh, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Imaobong Michael, thanked the organizers of the Ibom Open Maternity Project for selecting Etinan as one of the host communities for the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week activities. She described the initiative as timely and impactful.

The Council boss reiterated the readiness of his administration to partner individuals and organisations that seek to promote the well-being of mothers and children.

Hon Uko Umoh commended the coordinator,office of the First Lady, Noble Lady Helen Eno Obareki,for bringing this awareness to the doorsteps of women in our various communities.

Leading the delegation from the Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, the GIFA Team Lead, Pastor Anne Abraham, highlighted the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding. According to her, it boosts a baby’s immune system, supports healthy growth and development, and helps reduce infant deaths.

She noted that the programme was delivered in collaboration with CARELIFE Character Foundation, ALGON, WALGON, IbomAir, ECEWS, and CCCRN under the Maternal and Child Healthcare component of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA). She encouraged beneficiaries to make full use of the antenatal, postnatal and other health services provided by the team of medical professionals at the event.

In her goodwill message, Mrs. Emily Uko Umoh, wife of the Council Chairman, lauded the Carelife Character Foundation for extending the IOM Project to rural areas. She pledged her support for GIFA and other interventions that bring relief and better healthcare to women and children. She also appreciated the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for his commitment to quality health care delivery.

She further urged mothers to attend antenatal clinics regularly, practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, maintain good nutrition, ensure routine immunization, and follow medical advice for the wellbeing of both mother and child.

The highpoints of the programme were the distribution of GIFA Patcare packs and gift items by the wife of the Etinan Council Chairman to expectant and nursing mothers, free medical checks, lab tests and counseling, as well as on-the-spot enrollment into the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme by officials of the Agency.

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