Kebbi fixes July 27 for mass wedding of 300 Muslim, Christian couples

The Kebbi Government, in collaboration with the Nafisa Nasir Charity Development Foundation (NANAS), has concluded arrangements to conduct a mass wedding for 300 couples on July 27.
Our correspondent reports that the event tagged “Inclusive Mass Wedding” comprised both Muslim and Christian couples who fulfilled the criteria set by the committee
The Chairman of the Organising Committee and National Organising Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday
Argungu, a former Deputy Governor of the state, said the beneficiaries, comprising 600 prospective Muslim and Christian spouses, were drawn from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state
He said the beneficiaries were selected from among orphans, widows and divorcees after fulfilling the required religious and legal conditions for marriage.
According to him, the exercise is the third edition of the mass wedding programme initiated by the state government.
If you recall, we successfully conducted the maiden edition for 300 couples in 2024 and the second one in 2025.
“We have already distributed application forms to prospective couples across the 21 local government areas, and preparations have reached an advanced stage,” he added.
Argungu said various committees had been constituted to ensure the smooth conduct of the programme
He listed the committees as those on security, medical services, transportation, Islamic scholars and general coordination.
He said all prospective couples were undergoing mandatory medical screening, including pregnancy, genotype and HIV/AIDS tests, in addition to other lawful prerequisites for marriage in the state
Argungu further said Gov. Nasir Idris had approved the payment of dowry for all the 300 couples, with N250,000 to be paid for each bride.
Argungu, a former Deputy Governor of the state, said the beneficiaries, comprising 600 prospective Muslim and Christian spouses, were drawn from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
He said the beneficiaries were selected from among orphans, widows and divorcees after fulfilling the required religious and legal conditions for marriage.
According to him, the exercise is the third edition of the mass wedding programme initiated by the state government.
“If you recall, we successfully conducted the maiden edition for 300 couples in 2024 and the second one in 2025.
“We have already distributed application forms to prospective couples across the 21 local government areas, and preparations have reached an advanced stage,” he added.
Argungu said various committees had been constituted to ensure the smooth conduct of the programme.
He listed the committees as those on security, medical services, transportation, Islamic scholars and general coordination.
Argungu further said Gov. Nasir Idris had approved the payment of dowry for all the 300 couples, with N250,000 to be paid for each bride.
He added that the government and its partners would also provide the newly married couples with furniture, food items and other domestic materials to help them establish stable homes.
“There is no discrimination, provided applicants fall within the approved categories of orphans, widows or divorcees.
“The wedding will be solemnised after extensive consultations with Islamic scholars and in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which encourage marriage as a means of promoting family values and societal development,” Argungu said.
Authority.

Dangote refinery dumps Naira, sells petrol in Dollars

 

 

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has ended naira-denominated sales of refined petroleum products, introducing a new pricing template that fixes the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) at $0.779 per litre.

The new pricing regime, which took effect on Monday, also sets the ex-depot price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) at $1.087 per litre and Aviation Turbine Kerosene at $0.942 per litre, while coastal deliveries of petrol will be sold at $1,044.62 per metric tonne.

 

The move marks the refinery’s return to dollar-based transactions after operating under the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude arrangement introduced in October 2024.

In a notice issued to petroleum marketers and customers, the refinery announced that all previously issued naira-denominated Proforma Invoices and Deal Recaps for gantry and coastal transactions had been cancelled.

 

“Following our email of July 9, 2026, regarding the transition from naira to United States dollars, all issued naira coastal and gantry PFIs/Deal Recaps are now invalid, and no payments should be made against them,” the notice stated.

The refinery, however, clarified that the new payment arrangement does not apply to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which will continue to be transacted under the existing framework.

Industry sources said the decision was driven by the growing mismatch between the currency used to purchase crude oil and the currency in which refined products were being sold.

According to the sources, Dangote Refinery now receives a larger share of its crude oil supplies from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under dollar-denominated arrangements, while much of its refined products had continued to be sold locally in naira.

The imbalance, they said, increased the refinery’s exposure to foreign exchange risks, especially amid exchange rate volatility and fluctuating global crude oil prices.

The refinery’s shift to dollar pricing is expected to have significant implications for petroleum marketers, who rely heavily on Dangote Refinery for product supply, and could influence retail fuel prices depending on exchange rates, logistics costs, transportation margins, regulatory charges and marketers’ operating expenses.

 

The development also raises fresh concerns over the future of the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude policy, which was introduced to strengthen domestic refining, reduce demand for foreign exchange and stabilise fuel prices but has faced implementation challenges in recent months as more crude supply transactions reverted to dollar payments.

 

With Dangote Refinery now serving as Nigeria’s largest supplier of refined petroleum products, the new dollar-denominated benchmark is expected to play a key role in determining downstream fuel pricing across the country. conclaveNG.

#GbajaGate too serious to be swept under the carpet – Atiku

 

 

*Says Tinubu can’t be persecuting opposition in the guise of fighting corruption and covering his own officials

 

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar says silence, indifference and passage of time cannot kill the unfolding corruption allegations against Tinubu’s Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.

 

Reacting to the latest report by the  Gazette newspaper, accusing the Chief of Staff of “illegally cornering tens of billions of naira in oil and gas royalties from petroleum regulatory commission, citing a fake law for presidential approval, Atiku said he is baffled by such level of large-scale corruption and the impunity that legitimises it.

 

According to the ADC Presidential candidate, “this issue goes beyond partisan politics; it’s about the impunity of corruption that undermines the welfare and future of ordinary Nigerians.”

 

The former Vice President explained that “this level of corruption is unprecedented and the government can’t pretend to be prosecuting opposition figures for corruption, while corruption is growing like weed under its own nose.”

 

Atiku reminded the Tinubu administration that “you can’t preach the rule of law when your own officials are awarded with the trophy of untouchability.”

 

The former Vice President said that “Gbajabiamila must be held accountable like every other public official and independently investigated to give him full opportunity to defend himself against the brazen act of corruption as detailed in the Gazette report.”

 

According to Atiku, “former President Buhari suspended his SGF Babachir Lawal from office in order to allow for unfettered investigation against him and Gbajabiamila shouldn’t be treated differently.”

 

He reminded that the controversial Chief of Staff has been mentioned in multiple allegations of bribery and corruption that has tainted the office of the President’s key aide: Stealing of $25,000 from a client in Georgia, USA leading to his debarment; Multiple allegations of bribe-for-appointments; Bribery allegation of N400m in the PFIPC and now this illegal cornering of N52 billion from an oil and gas regulatory age

 

The ADC presidential candidate added that, “given the apathetic and lackadaisical attitude of the Tinubu administration to the gales of corruption scandals against the Chief of Staff, it’s apparent that the government is just going through the motions to fool Nigerians.”

 

“Democracy is public service and when political office holders prioritise the amassing of personal wealth while the ordinary people are dying of hunger and preventable diseases, the Tinubu administration cannot pretend to be serving the people,” Atiku said.

President Tinubu, please read the writing on the wall

 

 

By Iliyasu Gadu

Let me begin this article with a reference to the scriptures.

 

There is a passage in the scriptures where the almighty God decided to test the faith of Pharoah the King of Egypt. Pharoah was at the height of his untrammeled power such that his rule over his subjects was absolute and unchallenged. He literarily had the power of life and death over them and they in turn surrendered to him without question.

 

To test the extent of Pharoah’s power and belief in whether there is another power above him, God decided to send an angel in human form.

 

The angel in human form proceeded to ask Pharoah whether he believed he truly was the most powerful ruler in the universe. Answering in the affirmative, the angel then asked the Pharoah, what in his view would constitute the greatest crime or challenge to his rule over his subjects. In reply, the Pharoah stated emphatically that any attempt not to recognise his absolute supremacy and to recognise others powers in his place would attract the greatest and harshest punishment. And that punishment Pharoah said, would be to drown that person or persons alive.

 

If we are conversant with the scriptures, we would know what became the end of Pharaoh in the depths of the Red Sea. The encounter with the angel was God’s way of judging the faith and belief of Pharoah in the divine omnipotence of God. Just as Pharoah brooked no challenge to his power for which he reserved the harshest of punishments, so also the almighty God admonishes us to recognise and to submit unquestionably to his absolute power over us and not to associate him with any other powers. In the end God applied on the Pharoah the same punishment he reserved for those that would have challenged his (Pharaoh’s rule) by drowning him alive in the Red Sea.

 

Nigeria may not be Pharoah’s Egypt, and many would dismiss this scriptural account of God and the Pharoah as unreal, but the lessons are historically and universally true.

 

Presently nobody would deny that Nigeria is in a state of dystopia with mounting insecurity, hunger, poverty, corruption among others ravaging the land. Amidst this pestilence is also a disconnect between the masses of people and those that rule over them. Not only are those entrusted to rule over the people engaging in denial over the state of things that they are responsible for bringing about, they are proceeding to exacerbate the situation by the policies and measures they apply. And to add salt to injury the rulers of the land have turned to mocking the people over the suffering and misery the subject the people.

 

It is no doubt by God’s design that President Bola Tinubu is ruling Nigeria under the present circumstances. While President Tinubu basks in this state of power, it is a huge question as to whether he recognises that this position carries with it a heavy test of faith and belief in the power of God who placed him on the throne he now sits.

 

On the strengths of his policies and utterances majority of Nigerians would doubt very much that President Tinubu deeply cares about the plight of the people he rules over. Many Nigerians would point to the statements of the President as evidence that he is in denial, disconnect and even in disdain of the people of Nigeria.

 

But rather than bask in opulent exercise of the power that God has bestowed on him, President Tinubu should also consider the responsibility he owes to God and not forget that the power he currently wields is not ad infinitum. And most significantly, President Tinubu should consider that the power he currently exercises by the divine hand also  carries with it circumstances and consequences that will not just test him, but also judge his actions and statements surely and inevitably as happened with rulers before him. And in this divine judgment, no human Judge or security apparati, indeed no human contrivance can intervene to ward off God’s course of action. We witnessed it with Generals Ibrahim Babangida and late Sani Abacha and with President Olusegun Obasanjo all of whom contrived to ”outwit” God.

 

President Tinubu, like Pharoah in the scriptures, may have unwittingly pronounced his own divine fate and judgment when he stated that Nigerians should not vote for him when he comes for reelection if within the four years of his first term he did not provide full electricity to Nigeria. If he meant this do garner votes from the people, his wish was granted by God who installed him in power. But since he had not made good on his promise and he is now seeking to come for reelection President Tinubu should bear in mind that just as God granted the first part of his request, he probably would also grant him the second part which is to deny him his wish for reelection.

 

Again it is also probable too that God has hearkened to his statement made years ago that he never believed in the unity of Nigeria. So under the present circumstances that he is president of Nigeria with full executive powers, God is also daring him to implement the breakup of Nigeria as he once uttered. It is as they say, from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. God cannot be mocked.

 

But history has recorded that rulers who forgot to imbibe its enduring lessons end up becoming its victims. It has been the way of rulers in history in exercise of the powers given to them by God to forget him. In a way it is God’s way of setting them for eventual judgment by denying them the necessity of introspection and recognizing that not only the power they exercise comes from God but also of making them to get lost in their covenant with God.  We remember the Roman Emperor Nero who was fiddling while his empire burned fiercely from within figuratively and literarily. There was also the case of Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian King who at the height of his grandeur was brought crashing down. Then of course there was the French Queen who dismissed the suffering of her French subjects when brought to her attention with a derisory ”Let them eat bread”!

 

All the signals are clear in the horizon of a looming rupture in Nigeria under President Tinubu. For sure he cannot be blamed entirely on how we got to this pass. But by the same token President Tinubu cannot deny knowledge of the dire conditions precedent in the country before he came to power and the fact that God had given him the powers to change things for the better as a test of his faith and belief.

 

President Tinubu cannot deny seeing and reading the clear signals of the consequences of his rule in Nigeria. And surely like rulers of the country before him he will not escape the divine judgment that follows from his rule.

 

Iliyasu Gadu, a former Foreign Service Officer who served at the Nigerian Missions in Germany and the United Kingdom (UK), is also a columnist with Daily Trust

Moses Simon’s fallacy on Enugu Rangers International    

 

By Ike Abonyi

A recent online interview featuring Super Eagles player Moses Simon saw him attempting to disparage Rangers International, seemingly in response to his alleged rejection by the club. Simon presented an improbable narrative, claiming he was prevented from playing for Rangers International of Enugu during a tryout due to his Northern origins. This assertion is demonstrably false for anyone familiar with Rangers, a club that has historically and continues to feature numerous players from Northern Nigeria. It is posited that Simon, having achieved stardom, may have perceived his past rejection as a significant humiliation and fabricated this story as a form of retribution, inadvertently harming his own public image.

 

Rangers enjoys unparalleled popularity and a substantial fanbase throughout Nigeria, exceeding that of any other club. A significant portion of this devoted following also admires Moses Simon’s current achievements. By publicly denigrating such a prominent institution, Simon should anticipate considerable criticism. His current stature may have led him to believe he has outgrown the sting of past setbacks, overlooking the many footballing luminaries who, after initial rejections, rose to prominence without seeking to tarnish the reputations of the clubs that once overlooked them. Notable examples include Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Liverpool, and Belgian stars Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, all of whom faced rejection from Chelsea in their formative years.

 

Simon appears to have been ill-advised in his public statements, which could have lasting negative repercussions on his professional career. Elevating one’s career by attempting to damage the reputation of a widely respected and beloved brand like Rangers is counterproductive. Dragging tribe into was clearly unwise. It is hoped that he will consider removing the interview or issuing a retraction.

 

Ike Abonyi editor @ large and Rangers fan

Gunmen kidnap Oyo headmaster, demand ₦30 million ransom

 

 

Suspected gunmen have abducted the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School in Igbojaye, Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, with the kidnappers reportedly demanding ₦30 million for his release.

The victim, 60-year-old Mr. Owoade Matthew Kolawale, popularly known as “Onaiye,” was said to have been kidnapped on Saturday evening, July 11, while returning from his farm. The incident reportedly occurred between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Speaking on the incident, the victim’s son, Mr. Owoade Abiola, disclosed that the abductors contacted the family shortly after the attack using his father’s mobile phone.

According to him, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦30 million before they would release the 60-year-old educator.

 

Abiola appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue his father safely, saying the incident had left the family devastated and in deep distress.

The search for the headmaster continued on Sunday morning when a team reportedly discovered his abandoned motorcycle in a nearby bush at about 8:20 a.m., heightening fears over his safety.

 

The abduction has triggered concern among residents, colleagues and members of the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, who described the incident as a painful development.

They appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies to intensify efforts to secure Kolawale’s immediate and unconditional release.

 

The family also urged members of the public to provide any useful information that could assist security operatives in locating the kidnapped headmaster.

 

Meanwhile, residents of the area have been advised to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement or activities to security agencies as efforts continue to secure the victim’s safe return. GWG.

FG suspends planned WAEC, NECO fee increase

 

 

Following torrential outcry over hike in the registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), the Federal Government has suspended the proposal.

It said the decision was to allow wider consultations with stakeholders as contained in a statement on Monday through the Federal Ministry of Education (FME).

 

The Ministry explained that the proposed review was necessitated by rising operational costs associated with conducting credible national examinations, noting that registration fees had remained largely unchanged for several years despite increases in expenses.

 

The statement listed logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services as some of the major cost drivers behind the proposed adjustment.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa said the suspension was in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.

 

Government thanked Nigerians for their understanding and support and pledged to keep the public informed throughout the consultation process. Sunrisereporters.

Nigeria’s FX market sheds $1.42bn in biggest weekly fall of 2026

 

Nigeria’s foreign exchange market experienced a dramatic shift in momentum during the second week of July, recording its sharpest weekly turnover decline of 2026. Total transactions across the FX spot and derivatives markets plunged by 46.57%, falling to $1.631 billion for the week ended July 10, 2026. This steep drop follows a blockbuster preceding week where transaction volumes peaked at an impressive $3.053 billion.

 

Data obtained from the latest FMDQ weekly FX market commentary reveals that the resulting $1.421 billion week-on-week decline represents the largest single-week contraction recorded in the official market so far this year. The slowdown affected both the spot and derivatives segments simultaneously, signaling a coordinated pullback in interbank and client-driven currency demand across the five-day trading period. This shift dragged the daily trading average down to $326.22 million from the previous week’s average of $610.60 million.

 

The FX spot segment bore the heaviest share of the nominal decline, with its weekly turnover diving 46.62% to $1.580 billion from $2.960 billion in the prior week. Despite this sharp contraction, the spot market maintained its iron clad grip on the ecosystem, commanding 96.86% of all market activity. Meanwhile, the FX forwards market experienced a similar trend, shrinking by 45.19% to settle at $51.22 million, down from $93.45 million the week before.

 

While a near-halving of market turnover may trigger immediate concerns about dollar scarcity, financial analysts suggest the data points toward a natural stabilization rather than a structural deterioration of market liquidity. The preceding week’s surge to over $3 billion was an unusually aggressive start to the new quarter, fueled by intense corporate demand and heavy interbank positioning. The subsequent dip reflects a routine mid-month lull and a temporary reduction in import financing requirements, keeping overall volumes safely within the broader performance bands established throughout June.

 

This latest contraction highlights the inherent volatility and changing demand patterns that have come to characterize Nigeria’s official foreign exchange market. Before this downturn, the market had enjoyed three consecutive weeks of accelerating momentum, climbing steadily from $2.32 billion in mid-June to a three-month high in early July. Operating under the unified, market-determined exchange rate framework introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the FMDQ data confirms that the foundational liquidity of the official market remains intact, even as participants pull back from recent peaks. Newsscroll.

The seal of continuity: Why the Tinubu-Shettima ticket for 2027 is a strategic masterstroke

 

 

By: Yakubu Ahmed BK

 

The political landscape of Nigeria shifted decisively this week as the All Progressives Congress (APC) moved to formalize its path for the next general elections. In a ceremony characterized by high-level diplomacy and a clear message of internal cohesion, the party officially received the nomination forms for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. This act effectively draws the curtain on months of intense lobbying and subterranean maneuvers aimed at altering the nation’s leadership structure.

 

The submission of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms at the Continental Hotel was more than a procedural requirement; it was a powerful rebuttal to the rumors that had suggested a rift in the presidency. By retaining Shettima, President Tinubu has doubled down on a partnership that has navigated one of the most economically turbulent periods in Nigeria’s recent history, signaling that the “Renewed Hope” agenda requires a steady, familiar hand at the helm.

 

Historically, the position of the Vice President in Nigeria has often been a point of friction, yet the last three years have told a different story. Since assuming office in May 2023, Kashim Shettima has functioned not just as a deputy, but as a strategic envoy. From representing the President at high-level global summits like the UN General Assembly and the World Economic Forum to managing sensitive domestic issues, his performance has been described by insiders as a masterclass in administrative loyalty.

 

Despite this track record, the path to 2027 was not without its obstacles. The same “political hawks” who initially opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023 were once again active. These detractors, led by various interest groups and some former party stalwarts, attempted to leverage religious sensibilities to push for a northern Christian replacement. Their argument was that a change was necessary to “balance” the ticket, but many saw this as a thinly veiled attempt to weaken Shettima’s rising political profile.

 

The intensity of the opposition was reminiscent of the 2023 campaign, when figures like former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal waged a public war against Shettima’s nomination. The vitriol back then was unprecedented, with critics predicting electoral disaster and national upheaval. However, the ticket’s victory and the subsequent period of governance have largely debunked the notion that religious pairing is the sole determinant of administrative success or national stability.

 

For the Vice President, the last three years have been a test of character. While opponents were busy “baying for his blood” through media campaigns and fabricated reports of internal discord, Shettima maintained what observers call a “legendary decorum.” He refrained from public spats, choosing instead to focus on his constitutional duties and his role as the Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), where he has overseen critical discussions on state-level economic reforms.

 

President Tinubu’s endorsement of his deputy was not a sudden decision but a calculated one based on performance. During Shettima’s 59th birthday celebration in September 2025, the President was vocal in his praise, describing their partnership as a “perfect match.” He noted that Shettima had justified his selection through his intellect and political experience, effectively silencing those who were hoping for a reshuffle in the 2027 lineup.

 

The primary results of May 2026 further solidified the ticket’s standing. President Tinubu secured the APC nomination with a staggering 10.9 million votes, a landslide victory that gave him the political capital to choose his running mate without succumbing to external pressure. The formalization of the ticket on July 10 serves as the final nail in the coffin of the “anti-Shettima project” that had been brewing in certain political circles.

 

The presence of influential northern governors at the form submission – including the governors of Kebbi, Borno, Yobe, Kano, and Kaduna – underscores the regional buy-in for this ticket. These leaders recognize that Shettima represents a bridge to the North, a region that remains the heartbeat of Nigerian electoral politics. His experience in governing Borno State during the height of the insurgency provides him with a unique perspective on security and humanitarian issues that are vital to the administration’s success.

 

As the APC shifts its focus to the general elections scheduled for February 20, 2027, the emphasis is now on party unity. The National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has called on all factions to “sheath their swords.” The message is clear: the time for internal contestation has ended, and the time for collective mobilization has begun. The party realizes that any lingering division could be exploited by an opposition eager to regain power.

 

Strategically, the retention of Shettima allows the APC to campaign on a platform of continuity. They can point to the synergy between the President and Vice President as a sign of government stability, contrasting it with the often-fractious relationships seen in previous administrations. This “partnership of trust” is being marketed as a core strength of the APC’s bid for another four-year term.

 

The decision also sends a message to the international community and investors that Nigeria’s policy direction will remain consistent. In a period where foreign direct investment is critical, the appearance of a united and stable leadership team is a valuable asset. Shettima’s frequent role as the face of Nigeria at international investment forums has helped build this narrative of a reliable administration.

 

However, the road to 2027 will still require significant political maneuvering. While the ticket is set, the party must now address the concerns of those who felt marginalized by the decision. The APC leadership has indicated that inclusive governance will remain a priority, ensuring that all regions and interest groups feel represented within the broader “Renewed Hope” framework.

 

Ultimately, the formalization of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket is a victory for political pragmatism over ideological sentiment. It proves that in the eyes of President Tinubu, a loyal and competent deputy is far more valuable than a politically “correct” one. The duo now moves forward, tasked with the challenge of convincing Nigerians that the foundations they have laid since 2023 deserve to be built upon in 2027.

 

As the nation looks toward the February polls, the APC has sent its most definitive signal yet. The battle for the soul of the party has been won by the advocates of continuity, and the Tinubu-Shettima partnership remains the vehicle through which the ruling party intends to steer Nigeria into its next chapter.

Ahmed BK is the Commissioner of Information and Culture, Kebbi state.

Obi bemoans renewed Killings in Benue and Plateau States

 

By Okey Muogbo

The frontline opposition leader and the 2027 Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has decried the renewed heartless Killings in Benue and Plateau States.

 

Obi, writing on his X handle Monday morning, said the unending violence in the region is worrisome and deserves special attention.

According to the former Anambra State Governor, “the tragic news of yet another round of killings in Benue and Plateau States is both painful and deeply disturbing.

“The reported murder of at least sixteen innocent Nigerians in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State, alongside the horrific killing of nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, once again reminds us that the relentless cycle of bloodshed in parts of our country has persisted for far too long.

 

“For years, families in Benue, Plateau and other communities across Nigeria have lived under the constant shadow of fear, violence and displacement. Mothers have buried their children, children have become orphans overnight, farmers have abandoned their lands, and entire communities have been left devastated. We cannot continue to accept this tragic cycle as though it were normal. It is not.”

 

Decrying the inability of the Federal Government to end the killings, Obi said: “The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. Every Nigerian life is sacred, and every life lost is one too many.

“These are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams have been violently cut short.

 

“The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack. Nigerians deserve a security architecture that is proactive rather than reactive, driven by intelligence, rapid response and accountability. Those responsible for these atrocities must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. The culture of impunity must end.

 

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and to the governments and people of Benue and Plateau States. I pray that God grants comfort to all who mourn, healing to the injured, and strength to every community struggling to rebuild after these repeated tragedies.

 

“This is not about politics; it is about humanity. We must summon the collective will to secure our nation and restore hope to our people. No country can develop when its citizens live in fear, and no society can prosper when innocent blood continues to flow unchecked”

“A New Nigeria is Possible,”, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party assured. Sunrisereporters.